These 2 days start with misty and foggy mornings, the sun seems to have disappeared. The temperature drops drastically (compared to the 1st day we arrived) and I am SO grateful for all the warm clothing I bring = D
I am so looking forward to this segment of the intensive - Awakening the Third Eye (ATE). I am always a visual person, I am sure ATE will superlatively enhance my meditating experiences and insights.
The following are all my 1st person encounter:
The 3rd eye physically resides between the brows. Seeing in spiritual terms means feeling (etherically in clairvision term) and knowing (astrally in clairvision terms). It is a holistic integrative experience activating the physical and subtle bodies, such that I enter into a wider, deeper space when I interact with both my external and internal worlds.
Further, absorption into the qualities of the deep vast space is more clarity, serenity and groundedness.
ATE is achieved, in clairvision technique, via throat friction which amplifies the gateway (third eye in this case). Whenever the gateway is subtle, use throat friction. Though I find myself not needing throat friction much to access this gateway, I do feel the amplification using it especially when I am distracted.
When TE is activated, pulsation, warmth or tingling sensation is felt in between the brows. Once focus is maintained on these qualities, I find myself dissolve/melt into a vast still space. It feels like my body is not me; it feels like I have transcended myself; it feels like the space and I are one. It is the same feeling as Anatta (non-self) a key concept in Buddhism, a feeling I have experienced previously in my Buddhist Vipassana meditation in 2005. I am surprised I took 5 days to experience this in the previous Vipassana retreat but just one seating in ATE this time round. Is ATE method more effective or such quick access the result of my continuous practice on dynamic awareness since 2005. Or both. Anyway I am grateful = D
In the beginning, the space is dark and almost black. With more practise and "fine-tuning", the space turns from dark purple to velvety purple to velvety purple with glow in the center. Towards the later part of intensive, whenever I cross my eyes, I automatically enter this velvety glowy purple space without much conscious effort, and the glow in the center becomes more and more intense (yet not blinding). I have yet to find a physical parallel to compare this glow with. I can only say it is a kinda light from the higher realms.
Actually this is not even close, I just can't find anything similar...
After throat friction and ATE on one's own, ATE is further activated with a partner by looking at each other's "third eye". I can tune into my partner's space by connecting to his/her third eye, and I can experience what he/she is experiencing by being in the same space.
My experience with 2 partners are particularly interesting:
When I connected with Sue, I can feel a "bridge"connecting our third eyes.The feeling is very concrete and real. The best thing is Sue felt the same too (after the session we shared our experience). I can detect her dark and bright spots in her body and her aura as well.
The only problem connecting with 3rd eye with eyes open is that once I blink, I inevitably snapped out of the deep vast space which takes time to build up again. I posed this qn in the group discussion and asked for solution. Soon after I asked, I realised the answer myself...
My next sitting is with Suki who is here to assist our intensives:
I started by simply softening my gaze and immediately I found myself blink less. As soon as I am aware that I blink less and am excited about it, I start to blink again!
I realise that thinking, trying, sense of self are deterrents to letting go.
Letting go, non-grasping, not trying are ingredients for deepening into the spiritual experience.
When I blinked less, I find myself more absorbed into the space, more melted away, dense solid and firm.
Suki experienced and reported the same when she connected to my space which is very assuring that I am getting it.
When I dissolve into a vast still space with pure concentrated mental energies, I first experience vast capacity for love and other positive energies. All the emotions start to run through me and I find tears roll down like running water. At first I was too shy to cry in public. Then I realise it is gd that I release the suppressed emotions within. After sometime, I come to even realise that I am not crying but just emotions flowing through me. Let it flow let it flow...
After sessions of "cleansing", in subsequent sessions on the second day onwards, I feel more still and dense. It feels as if I am rock solid against external forces. It is when I know I am unshakable.
We also have experience connecting with centres along the column (can map it to the spine and extended to the crown), particularly the belly and the heart. I personally do not have significant experiences with these pts perhaps I am still mastering my third eye and absorption. Others do share interesting experiences though.
Now on mundane things. Food!
This is our kitchen and dining area (on a foggy cold day):
We are served 3 vegetarian home-made meals a day by our loving and generous Clairvision practitioners who have come to stay and volunteer. I am eternally grateful to them for spending 6 hrs a day, and sacrificing a part of their lives, coming here to feed us!
It is a shame I did not take any picture of any of the sumptuous gorgeous spreads and the lovely helpers. It is my greatest regrets. RenG, can I count on you for this? Did you take any picture???
Nevertheless, we have such gd meals, from Indian to Chinese to French to Italian all home-made! Carrot cake, ginger cake, rice pudding cake, banana walnut cake... oh heavenly!
I can't say thank you enough!
This is the "spiritual tree" under which many people seek refuge for a quiet time after meals:
This is the evidence I was there haha...
Group photo taken under the tree
This is the space beyond the dining area, where the helpers stay. View taken between the dining area and the spiritual tree.
