Isn't this similar to that so called "flow state"?
I've been training Muay Thai for a while now. Whenever sparring, every now and then, I enter the flow state where I feel as if there is no thinking, just acting. Though it does seem like I'm able to drown out all other distractions and narrow my focus to the opponent. Seems like the opposite, but dunno. Any relation?
1. Are you sure he said "knight"? There's this very old poem by a Spanish mistic, San Juan de la Cruz, "The dark night of the soul". Even Wikipedia has it.
2. The disturbances while meditating are called makyo. I read about them in "The Three Pillars of Zen" by Phillip Kapleau.
3. If you read "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance"by Robert M. Pirsig, you'll find out he achieved some sort of enlightenment that he wasn't ready for. The obscure side of it is that he was in mid 50s Montana state and they thought he was crazy. He ended up recieving electroshocks. It's not something you stumble upon, he had to try very hard for a long time to get there, but it is a serious matter. Nice choice of topic, I really enjoy your videos and find them useful.
Reply to (1): You're correct. Daniel Ingram uses "Dark Night" throughout, so it's an unfortunate typo by Joseph Everett. Your reference is also spot-on. Daniel also references this Spanish poem as a direct inspiration for why he chose this name
““Yea not sure why you’re depressed and anxious… … and this sounds like emergent phenomenon.”
Regarding the above. I once experienced an anxiety attack of some sort, leading to physical symptoms for days (went to doctor, got checked, conclusion: nothing wrong. Probably depressed/too stressed. Here you go, try some pills.) This happened right after attempting to meditate. I hadn’t considered meditation could make me feel worse. Is it possible that is what I experienced or do I misunderstand what was described?
I always felt there was a relation between the meditation and what happened. And I haven’t tried again because of that. Instead of helping it seemed to make things worse.
I think what you describe is absolutely possible, though I'm not sure about the symptoms lasting for days. But everyone knows that mind and body influence each other greatly, so why shouldn't it be possible. I also almost had a panic attack induced by meditation and several other moments where I was getting afraid or uncomfortable. It can make you feel worse but if you keep doing it longterm it will most likely make you feel better. Some people say it makes you process repressed feelings or trauma, which is why it can make you feel bad.
I’m impressed that you plowed through the 600+ pages of MCTB! I can’t help but notice the Jungian elements here. Daniel’s website is focused on his “integration”, and a key component is passing through the “dark knight” as though meditation can be an intrapsychic hero’s journey.
Isn't this similar to that so called "flow state"?
I've been training Muay Thai for a while now. Whenever sparring, every now and then, I enter the flow state where I feel as if there is no thinking, just acting. Though it does seem like I'm able to drown out all other distractions and narrow my focus to the opponent. Seems like the opposite, but dunno. Any relation?
No my friend, this is far far deep. Check out Bernardo Kastrup for more scientific related videos on the deeper stages of consiousness.
Will do, thanks!
3 comments:
1. Are you sure he said "knight"? There's this very old poem by a Spanish mistic, San Juan de la Cruz, "The dark night of the soul". Even Wikipedia has it.
2. The disturbances while meditating are called makyo. I read about them in "The Three Pillars of Zen" by Phillip Kapleau.
3. If you read "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance"by Robert M. Pirsig, you'll find out he achieved some sort of enlightenment that he wasn't ready for. The obscure side of it is that he was in mid 50s Montana state and they thought he was crazy. He ended up recieving electroshocks. It's not something you stumble upon, he had to try very hard for a long time to get there, but it is a serious matter. Nice choice of topic, I really enjoy your videos and find them useful.
Reply to (1): You're correct. Daniel Ingram uses "Dark Night" throughout, so it's an unfortunate typo by Joseph Everett. Your reference is also spot-on. Daniel also references this Spanish poem as a direct inspiration for why he chose this name
https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/firescript-577a2.appspot.com/o/imgs%2Fapp%2FMauricioKnowledge%2FHhSXu6WrGm.png?alt=media&token=75351745-bc29-48c9-ae84-e0287fa0dfba
Hope he fixes it soon, really takes you out of the text. I can't help but imagine a meditating Batman.
““Yea not sure why you’re depressed and anxious… … and this sounds like emergent phenomenon.”
Regarding the above. I once experienced an anxiety attack of some sort, leading to physical symptoms for days (went to doctor, got checked, conclusion: nothing wrong. Probably depressed/too stressed. Here you go, try some pills.) This happened right after attempting to meditate. I hadn’t considered meditation could make me feel worse. Is it possible that is what I experienced or do I misunderstand what was described?
I always felt there was a relation between the meditation and what happened. And I haven’t tried again because of that. Instead of helping it seemed to make things worse.
I think what you describe is absolutely possible, though I'm not sure about the symptoms lasting for days. But everyone knows that mind and body influence each other greatly, so why shouldn't it be possible. I also almost had a panic attack induced by meditation and several other moments where I was getting afraid or uncomfortable. It can make you feel worse but if you keep doing it longterm it will most likely make you feel better. Some people say it makes you process repressed feelings or trauma, which is why it can make you feel bad.
Matt vs Meditation
I’m impressed that you plowed through the 600+ pages of MCTB! I can’t help but notice the Jungian elements here. Daniel’s website is focused on his “integration”, and a key component is passing through the “dark knight” as though meditation can be an intrapsychic hero’s journey.
Amazing and inspiring series. I'm already waiting for the next part, keep up the good work!
All real, true, and achievable. This stuff has been known for many millenia. I would recommend the book "The Mind Illuminated".