
Originally Posted by
clam
Sorry for the delay in responding; time ran away from me these last couple of days and I've been chasing it ever since!
Thank you both for your replies, and I do very much agree that fear of danger is not a good reason to be held back. However, when someone makes such a statement I don't want to entirely dismiss it either, and at least investigate whether there is any truth in it. I feel that if I simply dismiss it, it would be based on my beliefs rather than any concrete knowledge. Of course the same goes if I simply accept it. Hence my posting the question, to see what others with more experience might tell me!

You are welcome, I too find this conversation interesting and stimulating.

Originally Posted by
clam
Just a last thing, have you considered meditation used to reach the point consciousness state?
Yes, of course! But all those pesky thoughts keep getting in the way...
Actually, during the Vipassana course, the first three days are spent working towards concentrating the mind through a technique called Anapana - which is simply a technique for observing the natural breath. I'm guessing if this technique was carried on long enough, it would lead to the point consciousness state (at least if I understand the term correctly).
Funny thing, 3 minutes after I read your reply I listened to some of Tom's recent interview, at 24:00 to ~+36:20 point consciousness and meditation is mentioned and discussed:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/soulnew...edium=listener
I think it might be helpful for you

(You are welcome to listen to the whole thing)
Yes, you are right. Observing the natural breath is an excellent way to keep intrusive thoughts away, similar to a mantra. You could try to relax, and observe your breath for 10 minutes, after that you let it go and silence your mind. It should be easier this way, instead of doing nothing in the start of the meditation.
One can also meditate like this for 10 seconds and so, while at work or school. I have found it easy to relax the mind in those stressful/noisy situations but it's a very limited time, since you can't just drift off like that :p. Better than nothing I guess, and it is always a plus to be able to meditate in hard conditions, albeit for a short time. It's a start.
You can also listen to some peaceful and soothing music, while meditating. I one can connect with the music emotionally, which is less disturbing than intellectual exercises during meditation, it might help keep and thoughts on "low" if one tries to just experience the now, with the music.
Binaural beats can be often be useful to reach the point consciousness state, it is done by entraining the brain wave patterns into a coherent brain waves associated with meditation, sleep and dreams.
It is like reversing cause and effect, in some way.
I could upload a 30 minutes theta wave binaural beat if you are interested.

Originally Posted by
clam
I also came across an interesting article that deals with different types of meditation (
http://www.thaiexotictreasures.com/meditation_1.html)
What I find really interesting in this article is that it divides different kinds of meditation in the two categories of "objective" and "subjective" where objective meditation is the concentration of the mind on an object, and subjective meditation is defined as a process of self-inquiry and self-observation.
The article gives several reasons why these different types of meditations should be combined:
"Then there is a third point in favor of such a combination. Upasana
[objective] increases one’s power of concentration but does not necessarily increase one’s power of self-control to an equal degree. As a result the aspirant may find it difficult to remain unaffected by the contact of other people and the cares and distractions of daily work. Nididhyasana
[sujective] enables the aspirant to abide in the real abode within and remain calm and unaffected by the environment.
Further, it prevents the aspirant from mistaking strong imaginations and hallucinations for genuine spiritual experience, as often happens in those who practice only objective meditation. A true spiritual experience transforms one’s consciousness and produces some knowledge of the higher self. Self-inquiry is necessary to recognize this. Lastly, combining nididhyasana and upasana satisfies both the head and the heart."
Vipassana meditation (at least from what I understood from the course) would fit into the category of subjective meditation. Objective meditation is recognized as
an important precursor to concentrate the mind, but then attempts to move beyond this towards self-observation.
There are so many different types of meditation, even so because the
purpose of meditation can be different.
There are many specialized types, I think it's great with diversity.
Though, when I now think about it I would argue that the point consciousness state is one of the most productive. The advantage is that one is just pure consciousness, and that by intent one can do whatever one would be able to do in other more specialized states of consciousness, at least theoretical. An important thing to notice is that the point consciousness state is a state
achieved by meditation, there are many ways to reach the state, there is not only one way to reach it.

Originally Posted by
clam
specialis_sapientia, you wrote:
Maybe knowing that the primary way of growth is free-will choices throughout the day, that are based on good intent.
I tend to agree that this is a very important way to grow. However, I think that those involved in 'subjective' meditation would argue that self-knowledge and growth can happen during the meditative state, and that you condition your mind to become less reactive which will help in those daily interactions. I'm wondering whether getting to point consciousness can also affect your growth in this way?
Ah, questions, questions!
I hope I don't sound like I'm trying to argue for this style of meditation; I'm still pretty open about all of these methods, but I find this line of thought very interesting. I would love to hear more of your thoughts.
Julia
Yup, meditation is definitely the way to go when one get that awareness of purpose. The awareness, and desire to become more, is a great catalyst for accelerated growth, for lowering entropy. One great tool for expanding the horizon is meditation. You are consciousness, why not "study" and get to know that consciousness, by having cognizance of this one will evolve more.
Growth can happen during meditation, as meditation often seems to be an actualization of potentiality. It can be direct or indirect (desire for growth) growth.
Point consciousness can be one of those.
I would love to hear more of your thoughts too, since I am not that much into eastern mysticism, my knowledge of the meditations practised there are limited. I could sure learn something from it.
It would be great to learn from each other
http://www.my-big-toe.com/phpBB34/vi...hp?f=13&t=4640
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