Comments for UP Development

Comment on A god is dead by Mary Hill

Mary Hill — Fri, 23 Jun 2023 23:58:51 +0000

I was not aware of any misconduct accusations towards Culadasa, when he was a massage therapist. When Dharmatreasure posted the public letter, I had a relationship with my Bodhgaya TT TMI class, and other TMI teachers (both in training and certified). I also had and continue to have a relationship with Dharmatreasure. Having gone through a divorce myself, I felt very sad for both he and his wife, Nancy. Divorces and/or legal separations of financial assets turn into a she said/he said situation. Each human is unique. Each human will view any situation through his/her/their own conditioned experience of reality. I began meditation practice in 1990. To examine my own conditioned view of reality, and learn to be “present’. That’s why I couldn’t and still won’t “take sides”. I suppose my neutral stance is influenced by my study of cognitive neuroscience at age 20. Reading a lot about the differences between men’s and women’s brains, whilst raising my now 30 year old son. And deep dives into anthropology studies, during TMI TT. Dharmatreasure offered and I took a class called Dedicated Practitioner’s Training. There I learned about the 8 fold path, and the practice of Sila. From the Bible: John 8:7 So when they continued asking Him, He lifted Himself up and said unto them, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” Sexual urges are natural and normal mammalian functions. Different spiritual traditions, around the world, have different rules and vows. The specific agreement between John Yates and his wife, Nancy, will remain, forever, hopefully personal, and between them. Was John Yates a “sex addict”? That’s for him to know, and he has passed away, from metastatic cancer. And it’s pretty hard to not be some kind of addict, in USA society. I studied addiction extensively, because of a family member. Best work I came upon was/still is:Anne Wilson Schaef was an American clinical psychologist and author. Her book When Society Becomes an Addict, in which she compared Western culture to an active alcoholic, made the New York Times bestseller list and was nominated for Best Political Book of the Year. I still practice TMI. For me, my mundane self, it creates a simple structure that works. Thanks Gabriel, for your post. And thank you for everyone who commented. Blessings, Mary Hill

Comment on My Vipassana Experience – 10-Day Meditation Retreat Review by Sandra P. Martineiz

Sandra P. Martineiz — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 09:37:27 +0000

Hey Gabriel, thanks a ton for sharing your experience. I’ve been trying or planning to visit vipassana and somehow unable to gather the courage.
But your experience answered a lot of my questions.
Thanks a lot Gabriel.
Stay Blessed

Comment on 40-Day Meditation Retreat at Pa-Auk Tawya, Burma by Monk

Monk — Sun, 16 Apr 2023 09:08:22 +0000

I’ve got a bit of nostalgia reading this article.
I’ve spent more than 4 years at Pa-Auk and it seems first months are always more impressive. I guess it’s the time when many extraordinary experiences happen. But in fact, the whole point of the practice is something else which is more difficult and less exciting.

If someone told me I’m going to stay that long in retreat, I’d have thought I’m going to get enlightened by that time. But it’s not like that in reality and I’m talking not only about my experience but about the experience of many others I met here. Although, I have to add that I don’t know if any other experience would be more valuable than this one.

Someone asked me recently whether I’m happy after all these years here and I couldn’t answer positive. It’s just how it is.

Comment on 40-Day Meditation Retreat at Pa-Auk Tawya, Burma by Henry Thomas

Henry Thomas — Fri, 22 Apr 2022 12:44:52 +0000

Thanks for your Wonderful blog post. This is really helpful for me!

I also had a good experience in Yoga and Meditation retreat program at Kep, Cambodia. Its a 4 day Healing program which includes the various forms of massage, ayurvedic therapies, sound healing, and energy healing. When I read your blog I missed my days.

Comment on A god is dead by Greg

Greg — Sun, 11 Jul 2021 15:26:10 +0000

Perhaps it is necessary to reassess certain assumptions about morality which stem from the traditions which are the bedrock of meditation practice. The methodology may be effective and the results profound, but it could be separated from moralistic dogma which might even be simply dated.

I think it is entirely possible, hypothetically, for someone to achieve awakening and all practical outcomes associated with Buddha but also live a highly immoral life, whatever that is. This may be uncommon because meditation practice tends to go hand in hand with at least some degree of prescriptive moralising due to it’s typically inextricable link to theology; and also because it works to diminish the impact of egotistical and selfish intentions, among other factors. It is taken for granted then that a moral life is both a necessity and product of meditation practice. Perhaps the next stage in the evolution of such practices is the boldness to recognise that there are still some extraneous elements and that there might yet be an even purer truth which can be awakened to.

Comment on Feeling Empty? Don’t Try Filling the Void by Erwan

Erwan — Thu, 06 May 2021 11:44:58 +0000

This feeling of emptyness have showed up when I was only 14 and now it’s been almost 4 years that I’m dealing with it plus a mental hyper activity that makes me insomniac, a little paranoïd and insecure any where/any time (especially at night). I’ve never thought about it like a helpful way to grow up but more like a curse that forced me to not feel while everyone around me was talking about their feelings. Sometimes I just think that I’m crazy.

Comment on A god is dead by Wondering

Wondering — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 03:31:19 +0000

I was put off several years ago by the controversy over his work history and the cagey way he responded to questions on the subject. Has your view on this issue changed since the newer scandals broke or is there information I am missing that clarified the mystery of where exactly he taught?

Comment on A god is dead by Jonathan Sepulcro

Jonathan Sepulcro — Tue, 16 Feb 2021 06:54:59 +0000

Romans 3:10-12
10 As it is written:

“There is no one righteous, not even one;
11 there is no one who understands;
there is no one who seeks God.
12 All have turned away,
they have together become worthless;
there is no one who does good,
not even one.”

Comment on 40-Day Meditation Retreat at Pa-Auk Tawya, Burma by Gabriel Rocheleau

Gabriel Rocheleau — Tue, 09 Feb 2021 17:16:32 +0000

In reply to Satyanarayan.

Hi Satyanarayan,
I remember there being a couple of discourses that were in English, but most were in Burmese indeed. However, the teacher assigned to me did speak fluent English.
Hope that helps,
Gabriel

Comment on Feeling Empty? Don’t Try Filling the Void by DeJuan

DeJuan — Sat, 06 Feb 2021 04:11:47 +0000

Thank you for posting this… yesterday, I found myself fascinated with receptive perspective while I was digging deep for motivation to do my math homework (university). I found that if I tried instead to feel the void of what I want (because I don’t have it), I can more easily receive it. I didn’t understand what it meant but the insight was so true to me that I couldn’t let it go. It feels like a void but it isn’t negative. Pure space… and it is so relaxing. I have ADHD so I have a lot of issues with concentration and while I’m feeling this vastness. Anyway, thanks for clarifying this for me.