The Mind Illuminated by Culadasa ( John Yates PHD )

[mybubble]

hello,

I wondered if people have read this book and what they make of it. I came to mindfulness through JKZ which is very much along the lines there are no goals. This book outlines in incredible detail a path and how to progress ones mindfulness through 10 stages.

Even though he specifies all practice is good, there are intentions and goals for each stage and he outlines what needs to be achieved to master a stage.

Stage 2 - overcoming mind-wandering during meditation
Stage 3 - overcoming forgetting the following the breath or object
Stage 4 - overcoming gross distractions, ( a distraction that becomes primary with breath still in awareness)

Etc

I am very impressed with the detail into all aspects of meditation practice and have found this book the most helpful by far.

JKZ explains mindfulness as paying attention with intent....

Culadasa's explanation I find much easier to understand and highlighted where I was perhaps going off course. He defines mindfulness as the "optimal point between having stable attention and peripheral awareness" (whether introspective or extrospective )

By paying too much attention to an object it is possible for peripheral awareness to collapse which means gross distractions can creep up unannounced. It's not enough to pay attention to the breath but also to everything else floating about just as much, yet keeping them in the peripheries; at stage 4 in any case.

I like the book because it outlines progress, a direction to go in and what the goals of the stage are. It has a great glossary, lots of diagrams, concepts of consciousness and awareness and explains types of distraction.

For instance a danger in meditation is dullness, which I think I started feeling and found quite scary. My breathing rate dropped to next to nothing a few times and powerful visions and floating sensations. I had to pull myself away thinking I would stop breathing altogether. Culadasa classes this as gross dullness which can be very pleasant, floating, dreamlike but it is in essence a distraction, albeit a highly pleasant one.

Wondered if anyone has read his work or what you make of this goal type practice.

[Peter]

Thanks for sharing, MyBubble.
I haven't read it yet, but it sounds interesting.
Peter

[mybubble]

I like the book as like JKZ it is done from a scientific interpretation, I think John Yates has a PhD in Neuroscience has a retreat in California and been practising for about 40 years.

Here are some screenshots of the 10 stages

http://www.evernote.com/l/AUVcALT24c1HZ ... zyfSdpbfw/

[Peter]

Thanks myBubble,
Looks pretty explicit. I have the epub version already, so I'll have a look at it soon.
Peter

[JonW]

'Goals of the stage'.
Hmmmm.
I'm going to order this. Thanks for the tip.
Jon

[Happyogababe]

Hi,

I'd been thinking of reading this one at some point. I'll wait and see what you guys make of it. I too began with Jon Kabat Zinn and to this day I think he's the one that I've resonated with the most. I found great value and progression by reading Mark Williams book. I have developed and 'clicked' more after progressing through the eight weeks with that book. Likewise (as I have health issues, pain being prominent) the Vidyamala Birch book has been indispensable. Eric Harrison's books have been of huge benefit.

I like to continue reading meditation and mindfulness books but am now at a stage where I am ready to learn more, progress.

Have a good day.

[mybubble]

I reckon I am at stage 4 after 6 months, I always have breath in awareness during practice, but gross distractions push it to the back, hanging in there. I don't forget about the breath anymore.

I think stage 4 translates to mindfulness of thoughts and feelings. Something like watching the mind as it is watching the breath.

I think I will be at this stage for a good year.

Maybe after decades stage 9 for me although he does say it can be much quicker , a couple of years, if 1-2 hrs a day plus walking meditation and others. If it half as nice as he describes it, that's the direction I would like to go.

[Happyogababe]

I've had a browse of your link (to samples of pages from the book) and what I read appeals to me. I like the illustrations too. I have it in my wish list and I reckon I'll be purchasing it soon. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this book it's been very helpful.

Enjoy the journey and I look forward to hearing about your experiences.

[mybubble]

Thanks Happyogababe, and you too!

I look forward to discussing this book. I have thought about the goal aspect because that is very different to JKZ.
# JKZ is very focussed towards stress and I think because of that there are no goals, just being and it really works. But once the stress has diminished some small goals cant hurt?
# Yates has a 6 stage prep before each session, Prep 1) Overall goal for meditation, eg peace of mind - something JKZ also says is necessary, lots of motivation. 2) Goal/intention for session e.g overcome drowsiness 3) Beware all goals/intentions. As JKZ says, all practice is good practice and quite funny considering 1) & 2)
# I followed the JKZ course + 3-4 months. I want to deepen my mindfulness and having something to work towards stage by stage suits me.
# I am in absolutely no hurry to get there, if it is a lifetime then so be it, in fact the longer it takes the better because I enjoy it, mostly.
# My one worry is if I get stuck at a stage, that would cause frustration although Yates says patience is the key, it will come. we'll see.

Yates does introduce some very good concepts that I would love to discuss, and thats just the simple stuff. Stage 5 + Interludes have some very technical concepts of mind but I have ages before even worrying about that.

Hope you enjoy and we can discuss.

[Peter]

This is the most amazing deeply profound book I've ever come across! It is the Holy Grail of meditation and mindfulness! This is my absolute favorite book already!

I've only read the beginning and it has given me enormous insights already. Please check out the reviews on Amazon. You won't believe the praise this book gets!

Thanks myBubble for bringing this to my attention!!!

Peter