17 excerpts, 54:26 total duration
{100} “It seems that nimittas can appear before the mind is fully settled in concentration. Is it useful to understand what that is happening? Should one ignore the nimitta until concentration is firmly established? Or is there some other response or skillful way to work with the nimitta while establishing samadhi?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Nimitta ] [Concentration] // [Proliferation] [Continuity of mindfulness] [Ajahn Pasanno]
Story: Ajahn Pasanno has a nimitta of bowing to the Buddha but then realizes that he is nodding. [Nimitta ] [Bowing] [Sloth and torpor]
5. “This morning, you spoke about bringing to mind the metta nimitta. I have some understanding of the feeling of metta, but no understanding of the metta nimitta. Could you explain more fully?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Goodwill] [Nimitta] // [Mindfulness of breathing] [Emotion]
22. “How does one use the kasiṇa and nimitta in meditation?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Kasiṇa ] [Nimitta] // [Concentration]
26. “The quality of breath can change to very light, creating some pleasant changes like pain control. To what extent can breath be manipulated? Doesn’t pure awareness act as an agent of change as well? What is the difference? Is the the source of self-healing?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Mindfulness of breathing] [Pain] [Knowing itself] [Healing] // [Tranquility]
Story: A 102-year-old monk falls in the bathroom then completely heals his head injury in one day. [Bhante Dharmawara] [Wat Pah Pong] [Sickness] [Nimitta]
11. “After using a yellow kasiṇa as kammaṭṭhāna for two years, I’ve been able to ‘tame’ the nimitta somewhat, but I’m unclear how to use it to enter jhāna. Instead, when working with the nimitta has got me in the upacāra samādhi neighborhood, I just switch to the breath and go from there, but I’d really like to know how kasiṇa is used to enter appanā samādhi directly. Also, is it true that kasiṇa propels the yogi directly into third jhāna, bypassing first and second?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Kasiṇa] [Nimitta] [Jhāna] [Mindfulness of breathing] [Concentration] // [Beauty] [Happiness] [Directed thought and evaluation]
6. “How does one practice with perception of light? I was told to ignore it (as a nimitta) and that it was a metaphor.” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Perception of light] [Nimitta] [Symbolism/metaphor] // [Ajahn Pasanno] [Mindfulness of breathing]
Sutta: AN 4.41: Four kinds of concentration. [Concentration]
3. “When Luang Ta Mahā Boowa says he’s looking for a sign or vision, what does he mean by that?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Mahā Boowa] [Nimitta] [Deva] // [Culture/Thailand] [Culture/West] [Dreams] [Determination]
Story: Ajahn Tiradhammo asks Ajahn Chah what event convinced him that he was on the path to liberation. [Ajahn Tiradhammo] [Ajahn Chah] [Dhamma books] [History/Thai Buddhism] [Liberation]
3. “Did Ajahn Chah talk about how to approach the nimitas?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Chah] [Nimitta] // [Proliferation]
4. “Could it be useful if the object is clear, stable, and peaceful and keeps coming back?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Nimitta] // [Proliferation]
11. “Thank you so much for these wonderful teachings. Sometimes a very intense light nimitta arises and it feels like all of my energy rushes to my forehead. I try to ignore the nimitta but it gets brighter and undulating. I try to pull it down to my feet but that doesn’t work. I’ve tried all sorts of things but ultimately I just stop sitting; start walking. The nimitta gives me a headache and is draining. 1) Why does it happen? 2) What to do? Deep gratitude.” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Meditation/Unusual experiences] [Nimitta]
3. Comment: This reminds me of Ajahn Anan’s practice. [Ajahn Anan] [Nimitta] [Unattractiveness] // [Thai Forest Tradition] [Concentration] [Sutta]
23. “It seems that nimittas can appear before the mind is fully settled in concentration. Is it useful to understand what that is happening? Should one ignore the nimitta until concentration is firmly established? Or is there some other response or skillful way to work with the nimitta while establishing samadhi?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Nimitta ] [Concentration] // [Proliferation] [Continuity of mindfulness] [Ajahn Pasanno]
Story: Ajahn Pasanno has a nimitta of bowing to the Buddha but then realizes that he is nodding. [Nimitta ] [Bowing] [Sloth and torpor]
2. “Please repeat the phrase that included “nimitta” and your name in some form. Can you give context/expand a little on this?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Nimitta] // [Ajahn Pasanno] [Hindrances] [Gladdening the mind]
8. “Could you explain again how anicca is related to signlessness? (Vism 21.70; Path of Purification by Bhikkhu Ñāṇamoli, p. 686; The Island by Ajahn Pasanno and Ajahn Amaro, p. 203)” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Impermanence ] [Nimitta] // [Proliferation] [Conventions]