Looking for information on concentration meditation

[ttom]

My spiritual practice is currently focused on concentration meditation and I'm looking for any advice that anyone may have, based on direct experience.

I've been alternating my object of concentration every few sits, between the awareness of breathing sensations at the columella ( flesh that intercepts the nostrils ) and a fire Kasina ( Candle flame ). I'm sitting for 6 hours a day split into 6 sittings. I've found that switching the object helps sustain my enthusiasm. I've also found that Pranayama and stretching prior to my sessions has greatly enhanced my practice.

Something that has become increasingly obvious to me is the delicacy of this practice. If I spend the day in isolation, only breaking from practice for periods of reading/writing, I am able to go a lot deeper. However, when I need to interact with people and do conventional things, my concentration during my next few sits is significantly worse. It seems to be based on my identification with a self. When I talk to people, my sense of self gets reinforced and the mind becomes a lot louder.

From anyone who has experience with Jhanic states or at least has access concentration. Once these thresholds have been attained, Is the ability to access these states somewhat permanent or does it diminish quickly when not in use?  From what I have experienced so far, it feels like the only way to reach these deeper states would be on retreat.

Thanks in advance.

Edited May 17, 2019 by ttom
Typo

[Hellspeed]

If you trained your attention on breath above thoughts and anything else, then you can start concentrating on something. What is your point? Because this of concentration is only useful in energy working, magic, occult. Simply training concentration to do a taks, is a waste of time. 

And the problem with social interractions is a dormant state really. Once you awaken the core, concentration on something specific is an impairment. Is like a drug that gets you lower from a meditation state.

Is like training to use the bow. Shooting without focussing on the bow\concentration. 

[ttom]

@Hellspeed  I'm developing my concentration to become more proficient at other enlightenment practices. Insight meditation, self-inquiry, contemplation and the likes all benefit from a solid foundation in concentration. Otherwise you find yourself getting lost in thought when you were suppose to be investigating your true nature.

Would you bother going to the movies if you couldn't stop watching people walking up and down the isles to get snacks?

 

 

[JohnnyBravo]

Your mind isnt an enemy despite on this forum thats the bias.

It should be faster/louder/speedier when socialising depending on the nature of the interaction. Thats why socialising is often an antidote to depression. Depression is slow moving energy with a dark tinge, and speeding the energy up is enough to shift the mood into a positive one.

I dont think youre doing anything wrong.

I dont have experience in the disciplines you are referring to.

What comes to me is that if you feel you have plateaued and cant move to the next level, seek out a Master.

In the real world.

[Nahm]

@ttom

https://sites.google.com/site/psychospiritualtools/Home/meditation-practices/concentration

https://sites.google.com/site/psychospiritualtools/Home/meditation-practices/emotional-awareness-meditation

 

[zeroISinfinity]

@Nahm Your site? 

 

[Nahm]

@zeroISinfinity Actually it’s google. Who knew, right?

+1 for google

 

[zeroISinfinity]

@Nahm Basic buddhists techniques and yes they will heal you. Still do not understand why they do not teach Kids this in schools. 

Edited May 17, 2019 by zeroISinfinity

[Nahm]

@zeroISinfinity It’s so you can. 

[zeroISinfinity]

7 minutes ago, Nahm said:

@zeroISinfinity It’s so you can. 

@Nahm i mean psychologist and well educated people know this stuff it is not hidden really but somehow this can't enter mainstream. 

[cetus]

6 hours ago, ttom said:

I'm developing my concentration to become more proficient at other enlightenment practices. Insight meditation, self-inquiry, contemplation and the likes all benefit from a solid foundation in concentration

@ttom Hey ttom. Just a share FYI. I have noticed on several occasions while doing contemplation a sudden and distinct shift in awareness/ concentration. I don't know how to explain it but it was on a completely different level then "normal". It was as if awareness suddenly became hyper focused like a laser beam. The first time it happened I was totally blown away. I remember thinking "holy shit I never knew I was capable of focusing on that level". The closest way I can explain it was it was like fine tuning a radio to a completely different frequency that you never realized was there.

I know that's not a how to. I can't even say how to do it exactly. It's more like you discover something new just by chance. But it is there.

Just a guess: maybe both hemipheres of the brain came into perfect sync and were suddely working in tandum? Whatever is happening there just keep looking you'll find it sooner or later. And when you do you'll lock on to it. That's what it does best!

[Nahm]

@zeroISinfinity It is the main stream already. 

[ttom]

20 hours ago, JohnnyBravo said:

Your mind isnt an enemy despite on this forum thats the bias.

It should be faster/louder/speedier when socialising depending on the nature of the interaction. Thats why socialising is often an antidote to depression. Depression is slow moving energy with a dark tinge, and speeding the energy up is enough to shift the mood into a positive one.

@JohnnyBravo Finding a master is a great idea.

I agree that the mind isn't the enemy. Its a beautiful tool. But when you're trying to develop one pointed awareness, self identified thoughts are highly distracting due to their seductive nature. 

Thanks for your input.

 

[ttom]

@Nahm Thanks for the links.

Do you have any personal experience with concentration states? I've read a bunch online and in books but there always seems to be gold nuggets in the nuance of ones own experience.

 

[ttom]

19 hours ago, cetus56 said:

@ttom Hey ttom. Just a share FYI. I have noticed on several occasions while doing contemplation a sudden and distinct shift in awareness/ concentration. I don't know how to explain it but it was on a completely different level then "normal". It was as if awareness suddenly became hyper focused like a laser beam. The first time it happened I was totally blown away. I remember thinking "holy shit I never knew I was capable of focusing on that level". The closest way I can explain it was it was like fine tuning a radio to a completely different frequency that you never realized was there.

I know that's not a how to. I can't even say how to do it exactly. It's more like you discover something new just by chance. But it is there.

Just a guess: maybe both hemipheres of the brain came into perfect sync and were suddely working in tandum? Whatever is happening there just keep looking you'll find it sooner or later. And when you do you'll lock on to it. That's what it does best!

@cetus56 This is music to my ears. Its sounds like you were experiencing what Theravada Buddhists would call 'access concentration' or possibly even '1st Jhana'. Did these experiences tend to be on the tail end of your contemplation sessions or did they arise spontaneously throughout.

That's an interesting hypothesis with regards to the brains hemispheres. I've been meaning to look for neuroscience literature on concentration states. Ill report back here when I find some.

Thanks for sharing.

Edited May 18, 2019 by ttom

[Nahm]

3 hours ago, ttom said:

@Nahm Thanks for the links.

Do you have any personal experience with concentration states? I've read a bunch online and in books but there always seems to be gold nuggets in the nuance of ones own experience.

 

I learned classical guitar, and then singing & playing. I found that did more for consciousness than the ‘traditional’ practices.