Shinzen Young - Alright!

[FirstglimpseOMG]

So, watching the first few Vimeo vids of Leo Gura's nightly meditation retreat wrap ups in the 'Insights' page at Actualized.org compelled me to look into who Shinzen Young is. I wasn't sure what Leo meant when he mentioned 'labeling and noting', and wanted to know about Shinzen Young's way of teaching mindfulness. His way of expanding on the scope and durations of focus within concentration practices prompted me to post, I'm only partway into this vid, the second of his I've watched, and I'm learning good new stuff. 

 

Edited May 11, 2017 by FirstglimpseOMG
Eliminated an unnecessary negative space

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Shinzen is awesome! If you want some more detailed info on his techniques, I believe this is the most up to date version of the Unified Mindfulness pdf: http://www.shinzen.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/FiveWaystoKnowYourself_ver1.6.pdf 

There's quite a wide variety of 'noting' styles and techniques around. Different teachers have different methods, particularly when it comes to what labels are used, how fast you should note, what you should note, etc. Probably one of the most well known noting styles was created by a man called Mahasi Sayadaw. It's very different to Shinzen's. Both have their pros and cons of course.

[FirstglimpseOMG]

Nice, thanks! I watched another evening of Leo's retreat wrap up and enjoyed learning about how he incorporated more labeling and noting of breath with good results, as opposed to bouncing around the thoughts, sensations, sights and sounds for content. Leo also mentioned how staying with those other sensations a little longer when using them, rather than only a second or two, seemed more effective for him. Interesting how our body/mind adapts and modifies our learned practices as it sees fit, enhancing our abilities and experiences in a very natural, individual way. I was trying out different mantras yesterday during a 20 minute sit, and the appropriate, foolproof one for me emerged out of the blue within minutes as I invented and tried them out as I went along. 

Edited May 11, 2017 by FirstglimpseOMG
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@FirstglimpseOMG

Yeah, I really like Shinzen as well.

I think you'd enjoy Mastering the Core Teachings of the Buddha by Daniel Ingram.  From watching the retreat vids and based on some of his more recent content, I've noticed Leo uses a lot of tips from that book in his practice as well.

 

 

Could you elaborate on what was going on with the mantras? How did you find the one that worked for you? How did you know it was the right one?

[FirstglimpseOMG]

Hiya.. I was just relaxing into another session (very new meditator here), and started with three-syllable stuff. I've come up with one or two before but they just wore out or they started to remind me of something, which is no good. I said them in my head, all relaxed and not anxious at all for outcome I guess, just knowing I was experimenting without pressure.. got into a rhythm of repeating nonsense words as they formed, as they came to me.. a wee tiny bit of intellect knew to just concentrate enough to switch up the consonant and the vowels as I hit each repeat, and it started to be all 'flowy', as it was play and not work.. just a worry-free frickin'day, - ...montoya  montoya  ..montoya.. nope, wants to go to motoyota or something.. ..montaya...  ..montaya.. montaya.. means nothing to me and doesn't turn into anything for me (yeah, I know- montana.. but the 'n' is such a far sound from the 'y' consonant that I'm good.. so far... it was working.. ok no. nooo, no no, don't think montana, forget that. No. 

Aw crap.) 

Anyway, just be all relaxed and easy and don't care if you get it or who's trying to come up with it or give a shit at all and some wordy rhythm will come out of nothing and the game is on.. all natural - montaya.. ffs lol

I liked montaya because as I was breathing and releasing and feeling all love and peace and and surrendurring I could turn it into montaya-aAAUOMMMMmmm.. when it felt good lol. Fuck montana. 

Edited May 13, 2017 by FirstglimpseOMG
Can't write, can't spell, no smarts..