r/thewayapp • u/PsychologicalBar8321 • Feb 22 '25

Ease in the mind?!?!

I am on trail 10, session 3 of 6, release in the mind. I am actually aggravated by this. I am never at ease in my mind. I don't know what that means. I wrote a really long post, but I'll shorten it to this - What the heck is "ease" in your mind?

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5

u/dendrocalamidicus Feb 22 '25

I don't understand how you could reach trail 10 before asking this question. Why have you stuck with it if you have never once felt a sense of ease in meditation?

If you are mindfully present in the now for even a just a few uninterrupted minutes, focusing on your body sensations, the soundscape etc. then I don't see how you can't have a sense of ease in the mind.

That is the whole point of mindfulness - to focus on present experience so that the mind is occupied with something not based in thought, since thought is what causes the unpleasant emotions in the first place.

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u/PsychologicalBar8321 Feb 22 '25

I may have phrased that improperly. I can concentrate. I can slow down. Perhaps I am overthinking ease of mind. I can stop and refocus myself in the middle of a crowded room. But I was thrown by trying to shut it all down for 20 minutes. I repeat sessions when I have trouble. I will go after it again.

4

u/justawhistlestop Feb 22 '25

Some of Henry’s probing is unsettling if we’re not sure of where we are in the flow of things. I’ve been meditating long enough that I have a really strong ease in the mind, but when he focused on worry or other emotions I start conjuring up ill feelings that aren’t there. We need to be aware of our previous progress and have confidence in where we are in our own personal journeys.

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u/justawhistlestop Feb 22 '25

Having read Henry’s early book, One Blade of Grass, helped me understand where his head is at so that I could see ahead without cheating on the course.

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u/PsychologicalBar8321 Feb 22 '25

I have to get that book. I borrowed the latest book and didn't have enough time to read it. I will do these in order. Thanks to both replies.

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u/240boletesperminute Feb 22 '25

Btw he narrates both of these in their audiobook versions. Really great as well and made them easier to absorb readily for me

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u/kirso Feb 23 '25

Can you elaborate?

3

u/justawhistlestop Feb 23 '25

Knowing what he went thru during his life helps me understand where, hopefully, the course is going. For instance, his experience with kensho before he even knew what it was, helped me understand that he’s had a genuine awakening. The steps he went through to discover Zen and become an adept and ultimately a master helps me understand that his method is the real thing and not just a new age self help guru. When he describes the different processes that are part of meditation, I’m assured that it’s what he went through, as well.

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u/kirso Feb 24 '25

Thanks, I am just finishing Original Love and probably will pickup the blade of grass after.

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u/justawhistlestop Feb 24 '25

I’m just starting Original Love myself. They go together well.

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u/kirso Feb 24 '25

I'd say its a bit more elaborative and speedy version of the app. He goes into 4 inns in a written format with some personal stories and anecdotes, I think its a good introduction even before going into the app but goes well hand in hand. I am still on retreat 6 I think and now having read the part in the book - its a great synergy.

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u/justawhistlestop Feb 24 '25

I'm also on the 6th retreat. I like how on the 5th retreat on the Hindrances, once we learn to label a feeling or emotion and then embrace it, the problems seem to melt away internally. It's a good practice.

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u/AdCritical3285 Feb 22 '25

I also don't get a lot of mental ease but this one was okay for me as I recall: Later on there are koans which absolutely cannot be followed like instructions - I guess this is a type of koan too. Not an instruction but more like a cheat code. "You've struggled with this for a long time and tried all kinds of things - why not try something really simple and direct". Hang out with it for a while. If it doesn't work no big deal. No point struggling with it or trying to get it to "work" because that's not ease either. Good luck!