Experiencing Intense Reactions on a Vipassana Retreat

[@evelinel.9827]

Most likely the repressed emotions started to come up when the mind was really quiet and without any distractions and it was too much for the nervous system to process. First in stress the body goes into fight, flight response but if the overwhelm is too great for just fight/flight response the body goes into freeze. In freeze there is exhaustion and other symptoms (I had all of these with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome). Doing work on emotional repression, learning to feel emotions in the body and stay in the body allows for feelings to come up instead of fight/flight or freeze response. Getting out of emotional repression and learning tools to regulate the nervous system (Somatic Experiencing is a great modality) is how to get out of the freeze response. Also learning to not go over one's capacity in emotional work or if the body is getting stressed is key too--there is a reason we cannot just feel all of our repressed emotions in one go! Learning awareness of our bodies when emotions are coming up to be felt or when our body is getting stressed are key as once we learn how to process and feel emotions and regulate our nervous systems we can get back to parasympathetic nervous system/rest and digest/ where we are social, content and feel ok (called Ventral Vegal State in Polyvegal Theory). Learning to be in the parasympathetic nervous system more and more, learning to feel all my emotions and be ok with them, learning to be in my body healed my mental health symptoms (depression and anxiety) and many debilitating physical symptoms (chronic pain, IBS, Migraines, brain fog, dizziness, extreme fatigue and more) . I did do a lot of quieting my mind, meditation, etc. and stopping symptom worry thoughts and this top down work is great, but there is bottom up work to do for many (I actually think most) of us in western emotional phobic left brain society.

[@brynawaldman5790]

I agree. Shedding dysfunctions is the best place to start for some. These would be egoic compulsions that make for a healthier ego. For many that's the best place to start.

[@lunkerjunkie]

the gentleman should be in trauma treatment, not at retreat. this is a physiological state, not a mental one, as suggested.

[@evelinel.9827]

@@lunkerjunkie I am happy that there are more and more spiritual teachers who understand the nervous system and speak about the important of emotions work like Angelo on Simply Always Awake channel. People are using spiritual bypassing and trying to meditate away their pain body and for most it does not work, but thankfully there are others things to do.

[@lunkerjunkie]

@@evelinel.9827 Angelo is on it. I had the same response to meditation as the gentleman in the video when I began my practice. took me eight years and loads of pain to find out what is actually happening. you sound like you're familiar with Irene Lyon as well. she's an excellent resource for survival stress.

[@gretanavarauskaite2904]

❤

[@andrewrossroberts]

When you find the part of yourself (the real owner) that is not your body and mind, and you rest in that, the body and mind will Naturally heal. All of your stuff comes to the surface to be released. From my experience its the greatest meditation (much easier sitting with an awake teacher) and far deeper than yoga or any breath or body meditation (for me anyway). I feel the direct path is simply remembering your not the body and the mind and then the body and mind release everything that is not aligned with this knowing. It’s very beautiful.

[@Risingphoenixx66]

Being aware of the fact that you,re not the body is challenging when your body is sick and doesn,t function and restricts you in living a normal life, any thoughts on that?

[@lisabeed6001]

@@Risingphoenixx66Yes! Very, very challenging when I’ve lived with chronic pain for so many years. I feel like I’m a completely different person ( although I know that old me is still in there, the same loving soul I’ve always been) It’s just been extremely difficult to accept my new reality!) I’d be interested to know too, how to work through that.

[@dr.susheelkhemariya8966]

Wah wah Aha wonderful Vishmaypurn Love'Beings thanks 🙏💗💗💗💗💗👍

[@angeloiodice9304]

I don’t really see the difference between the direct path and Vipassana. In Vipassana, you remain aware. Seems like on the direct path you remain aware, and then move on to the nature of awareness. Seems like the next step of Vipassana would be to ask what or who is aware after becoming aware. In a way, we never really can avoid the 8 limbs of yoga. (Ashtanga) Everybody here has basically already practiced or is practicing what Patanjali codified as Ashtanga yoga in the Yoga Sutras. 1&2) yamas and niyamas which is basically good behavior. 3) Asana, well we are basically sitting still. 4) Pranayama, we are aware of the life force. 5) Pratyahara, not overstraining the senses. 6) Dharana: We all focus and use concentration to some degree here. 7) Dhyana: This is the step most are engaged in here, being aware of the self beyond body and mind. 8) Samadhi: A much deeper state, beyond Dhyana, pure awareness. This is the level we strive for here. But, Rupert has a more unique, simplified, western approach, that can’t be overlooked as brilliant, because Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras was codified as a work about 2500 years ago, and it is a codification of earlier works far more ancient like the Upanishads. (5000 years old or perhaps far older) And, If we were just left with those, on our own, good luck!!! I infinitely appreciate Rupert’s digestion and explanation of the ancient processes, and putting everything into a user-friendly perspective, with immaculate English, explaining and giving a plethora of examples, and creating very clear and precise roadmaps and a badly needed user’s manual to understand one’s being on all levels. His work is something we have all been waiting for, extremely valuable, wanted and needed.

[@macaroon147]

I've been on Vipassana and I have used Ruperts method. For me there is a difference. Vipassana is very focused. The direct path is the opposite, a letting go and sinking in.

[@k14michael]

⁠@@macaroon147 Depending on what type of Vipassana you practice. Is it Goenka-10 days? Is it Mahasi stomach focus? Is it Achaan Chah Breath focus? Or the American version such as taught at Spirit Rock or at Massachusetts Insight Meditation centers where they mixed everything together 😊. Yes, some are more focus intensive than others. But that’s only at the beginning stage. Which is called “calm abiding”. Where you usually focus on your breath to calm your mind down. Most Vipassana meditation retreat don’t go pass this stage. The second and final stage is what you can really call Vipassana which is to use the calm mind that you have developed to look directly into your body/mind complex and reality-now-moment itself to gain insight. Which is what the direct path is all about. But Vipassana teachers have been debating on how much calm mind you have to have before you switch your students over to looking. I have been to many and various type of Vipassana and zen meditation retreats but i’ve never been to Rupert’s retreat. But it seemed to me that Rupert is catering to the western mind set which is going straight to the looking without providing any method for his students to calm their mind first. Hence he always get all these unnecessary questions from his students. I agreed with the other poster who said that there isn’t much difference between Vipassana and the direct path. One start from calm then go to insight. The other start from insight then get to calm. The eastern mind like to learn how to calm their mind by practice with their body because they have already learn not to think so much ever since they were little. The western mind like to gain insight first because they have been taught to use their mind ever since they were little.

[@angeloiodice9304]

@@macaroon147 Sinking in is the next step after exhaustive focus, graduating from limb 6 to limb 7 of Ashtanga. As I said, if left in ancient terminology, it seemed like a dense mystical forest. Rupert’s elaboration is a finely carved key to unlock the 7th limb which many would fail without “His Grace.” And, I know Rupert would not approve referring to him in such devout “guric” terms, but I do so out of the deepest love, gratitude, respect and reverence.

[@brianlittrell797]

The direct path does not involve looking directly into your body/mind complex. If you attend one of Rupert's retreats it would probably help. It's also not about gaining insight. Although insights will come.@@k14michael

[@angeloiodice9304]

@@k14michael I agree with you, also. The difference between a disciplined oriental mind and a disciplined occidental mind are worlds apart. I also have lived in Asian countries and partook in some of their disciplines, traditions, practices and approaches to spirituality. It usually involves an absorption and a complete surrender to a dedicated focused life. Western approaches are far more lax, to say the least. But, the far-eastern approach in modern times is diminishing. Except in pockets of strict preservation and dedicated practice, the authentic methods are being lost to time, save for the appearance of the shell, and the rules that hold it in place. Westerners seldom have the ability nor the time to engage in the practices of the authentic ancient eastern methods, nor even in the strict inauthentic shells that abound. But, it seems to matter less these days. Most of us have given up high hopes of reaching the lofty asceticism of a Jesus or a Buddha. Most of us just desire to allow spiritual awareness to permeate our worldly lives. Probably, that is really the only way possible in this Kali Yuga for the masses that desire wholeness. And, in a way, Rupert is the way-shower of this modern approach, along with a few others. We are quite fortunate to have his expertise, patience, love and kindness available to us. Many of us would otherwise fail without his reinterpretations of the ancient methods. Without Rupert’s comments and elucidations on the methods of Ramana Maharishi, I would have chalked it off as terse and esoteric. But, just a few tweaks on merely the language that Maharishi Ramana used, and it all became completely lucid, transparent and a very enjoyable practice. But, if one is interested in developing siddhis and the gathering mind and prana as in qi-gong and tantra, Rupert’s methods might not be the first choice. However, according to most, those are nonessential accomplishments. I have known gifted Qi-Gong Doctors and healers trained from early childhood in healing quite successfully all manner of disease, and also quite proficient in Gong-fu, able to peacefully disarm multiple attacks from all directions. I actually had an external tumor on my head burst and disintegrate via energy emitted by the directed energy of qi-gong. My wife had a painful fractured rib mended instantly. However, when that path of qi-gong concentration and gathering and focus of pranic force led him systematically and orderly to the realization of “the Tao,” he dropped manipulation of those energies as a pathway to complete awareness. But, then again, he always practiced Taoism and awareness while engaged in the more focused practice of qi-gong. Qi-gong was a beautiful Royal pathway to the Tao or complete awareness. He lived an extremely joyful life surrounded by the power and harmony of the guidance and protection of harmonizing Qi as a constant companion that lead to the Tao or complete awareness. It was more pleasant for him than to most, because he developed great discipline from childhood. His power and energies, especially sexual energies were harnessed, controlled and directed towards healing others, himself, and a very simple, joyful way of life. But, Rupert’s teaching does not really involve a pathway, but a wholesale dismantling of this moment to see clearly. Almost like going directly to the emergency room for quick and effective treatment of disorientation. I appreciate all he has given us, and that he gives it with such love and kindness, and as a British gentleman. What more could one ask for?

[@wattaura7621]

The direct path 💙

[@YGP-fr7rv]

There are many changes that take place : Sleep, Food, Talking habits, etc. None of them is referred in this Q&A.

[@k14michael]

Wait a minute, didn’t Rupert started a serious meditation practice when he was only 17 years old?

[@Risingphoenixx66]

Hello greetings from The Netherlands. I have a question related to unhappines. I understand that the person is the one feeling, and thinking I know thoughts come and go etc.I know i am consciousness observing it. But what if depression , unhappines and despair is caused by a serious neurological disease ( in my case) which causes suffering. Depressed because not being able to live your life in the way you want, when you feel restricted in socializing with others and you feel shame and tension is a lot .i have to deal with uncomfortable sensations 24/7 and inquiry just doesn,t help me. What to do? I realise this is a challenging question But If you or anybody else can shine a light on this it would be welcome. Thank you for reading

[@youssefalaoui4286]

Surrender your body and mind completely. It was never yours to begin with. I remember a guru once said: if you are not the body and mind, then what is the problem? I do hear you though; when things get uncomfortable it becomes difficult to remember our true nature of pure awareness. All I can say is that maybe sometimes you feel relieved, at those special moments you should perform meditation and remember your true nature. In other words; you strengthen yourself when things are good, so that you have more resilience when things are bad. It’s like a farmer storing food for when things go bad in winter time.

[@lisabeed6001]

@lulu0866 I think I can relate to everything you’re feeling. I know there are plenty of others that suffer worse than I do, but living with fibromyalgia has changed my life in countless ways! I put on a happy face for everyone, but even with medication, the depression is crippling. I’m just tired of life being so hard, living alone for almost 30 years. I pray I’ll have a massive heart attack in my sleep. 😢

[@meltherecafe2394]

no guru ever supports any other spiritual organization. bad for business. vipassana folks wont ever recommend Rupert either.