The texts rightly say that, on the entrance to Nirodha, verbal formations cease first, then bodily sensations, then the whole of mental functioning ceases when the attainment is finally entered. This is traditionally explained as correlating to the first jhana, fourth jhana and then the entrance into Nirodha respectively. However, it may be noticed that in the three moments before cessation of perception sets in (during the complete power failure-like entrance) the verbal formations, bodily formations and mental formations cease in that order also in three consecutive and definable moments, with the whole thing taking about 1/3 of a second. Thus, the texts may have a double meaning, or were misinterpreted by scholars who had not ever attained Nirodha Samapatti. I say this because it is still typical for many bodily and verbal formations to arise between the eighth jhana the entrance to Nirodha, and thus the traditional interpretation does not hold up.
The texts also say that this attainment may last seven days or even longer, but I don’t personally know of anyone who has admitted to having this happen. That doesn’t mean it can’t happen, but would probably require a long and sustained retreat before hand. The duration of such attainments will be related directly to one’s concentration abilities, and these are very dependent upon local practice conditions and the amount that they have recently been exercised.
Unlike Fruition, one exits this attainment in the reverse of the way one came in, with mental formations arising first, quickly followed by physical and then verbal formations in the characteristic analogue way of the entrance and with the same timing. After leaving this attainment, the mind tends to be deeply peaceful and very clear, and one’s body tends to be very relaxed. The longer the attainment lasted, the stronger and 355
more durable this effect will be. Thus, I would not recommend attaining this immediately before entering into situations that require high-speed decisions or actions. The texts say that one inclines to solitude or quiet after attaining this state, and in general I agree.
I mention this attainment because it is one more of those things that is found today but has often been relegated to the realm of myth and legend or has been forgotten entirely. It is not that Nirodha is necessary, but it definitely is a good and useful thing to be able to attain. In fact, I have not yet spoken with anyone who had attained it who didn’t consider it among the absolute King Daddy of meditation attainments other than arahatship, as the depth of its afterglow never fails to impress and amaze. Hopefully, mentioning it will raise the standard to which people feel they can reasonably aspire, which is basically the whole goal of this book.
One more little morsel for you brave adventurers… I have noticed that the easiest time to attain Nirodha is usually a few weeks after attaining a path, when the vipassana jhana aspect of the progress of insight is becoming clear and a nice degree of mastery has been attained in that Review phase. However, it has this nice/nasty habit of helping to precipitate a new progress cycle, as the level of clarity gained in its wake is impressive. Thus, one may go from the best highs of a Review phase and Nirodha’s glorious afterglow to the 3rd ñana, A&P and the Dark Night quickly. In fact, this seems to be a very natural part of many cycles of anagamis who also know the samatha jhanas and formless realms.
Best of luck and practice well,
Daniel
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Index
INDEX
1.A&P Event..........................................238
of the unfinished operation..............201
as minimum attainment for teaching
the boulder and the hill......................69
....................................................344
anaolgy.........................................................
difficulty obtaining Fruition after.....255
of Agean Stables...............................126
mimicking enlightenment................248
angels...........................................................
sorting out from Fruition.................240
visions of..........................................145
A&P/A&P Event....................................179
anger......................................................120
abandonment...............................................
compassion in..................................121
of altered states...................................12
arahat.....................................219, 329, 353
of morality..........................................12
arahat...........................................................
absorption..............................................133
and ego.............................................276
acceptance....................................................
below buddhahood..........................329
exploration with.................................21
master of ultimate............................331
access concentration..........................9, 139
revised model...................................282
foundation of insight practices.........171
taking bochisattva vows....................331
near enemy of first jhana..................141
traditional definition.........................274
Achaan Chah...............................................
two types...........................................283
on arahats.........................................341
Wisdom Eye....................................282
advanced practitioner..................................
arahats..........................................................
example of practice..................129, 130
knowing the Three Kayas................308
afterglow.......................................................
limited action models.......................285
of enlightenment..............................213
still think...........................................309
aftershocks...................................................
technically enlightened.....................288
of Fruition........................................212
vs. buddhas.......................................330
agendas......................................................3
which bhumi?...................................330
for Morality..........................................6
arahatship.....................................................
altered states............................9, 13, 52, 53
defilements and................................275
abandonment of.................................12
arrogance.....................................................
insights beyond...................................12
and ego.............................................275
ordinary practice and.......................116
as map side effect.............................170
severe...............................................115
of arahats..........................................275
sleep deprivation and.......................115
of the Mahayana...............................218
anagami........................................................
ascetics.........................................................
anagami............................................274
neurotic..............................................62
mature..............................................281
astral plane.............................................148
analogy.........................................................
attachment...............................................62
of a racecar driver..............................22
and suffering door............................242
of confetti...........................................24