Continuing on with the theme of Nimitta and Theta brain waves, we were discussing spontaneous Nimitta. Often times spontaneous Nimitta occur in front of us, particularly to those who practice Mindfulness of Breathing. Even if we were using Samma Arahang sometimes we will see a Buddha Image or Dhammakaya facing us or facing away from us, as if it was in front of us, as opposed to top down view at the center of our body/awareness. When such a Nimitta first arises it is called an Uggaha Nimitta or an Acquired Image, which is still quite unstable, not fully clear and transparent, nor wieldable or malleable. If we try to interact with it it will disappear. So what we do is ignore it at first, staying still, while also maintaining a light connection with the center of awareness as described before. Just this is enough usually for the Nimitta to move into the center of the awareness after a while. These Nimitta are reflections of our state and of mind and faith. People often see Kusala Nimitta, wholesome images, such as Khun Yay, Luang Pu, the Maha Dhammakaya Cetiya, many Buddhas. These are quite complex images, but wholesome. Do not read too much into them. Do not interact with them. Just witness them with a still and neutral mind. And they will change as the quality of the mind develops. The more still and pure and neutral and happy the mind is, the more these qualities will be reflected in changes in the Nimitta as transparency, brightness, radiance and changing form. Eventually all Nimitta that come to the center of the body, with a still and neutral mind, will tend towards becoming either a bright shining crystal ball or Dhammakaya image. When these images become stable, enduring, malleable meaning subject to our will being able to be expanded or shrunk, and transparent, then they have become the last stage of Nimitta, Patibhaga Nimitta, or Counter-image, and if not yet at our center can now be safely moved there. During this development inner happiness will grow stronger and more exquisite. A stable Patibhaga Nimittaa is even stable across Alpha and Beta brainwaves, meaning when you open your eyes it remains. How stable it is varies but it should be maintained as if it was a precious gem. For Nimitta do not only reflect our state of mind but also alter our state of mind, maintaining its purity and happiness, its wholesomeness, thus producing an enduring change in our personality and life, all day every day, ensuring that when we pass away it is with a pure and wholesome mind, thus guaranteeing a good afterlife. This is the first of the really beneficial attainments. Yet these Nimitta should not be confused with the Dhamma Sphere or Dhammakaya, which are not images. Nimitta start off as 2d images, progressing to 3d. The Dhammakaya and Dhamma are seen from all angles simultaneously. Patibhaga Nimitta are used to purify the mind, focus it on a single point at their center, at the center of the body, and make the mind more and more subtle and refined while developing the Jhana Factors. They act as a vehicle taking us across Theta towards Delta. NEXT: Developing Nimitta and Jhana Factors
Posted on: Fri, 12 Dec 2014 03:06:59 +0000
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