I have recently increased my sitting practice - sitting for longer periods, "going deeper" (for lack of better terminology), and experiencing various mental states while sitting. My sessions are not long, only 30-60 minutes - but that is long for me.
I tend to approach life in general in a rather methodical manner (I observe and learn from my observations, then see what else I can apply it to, observe, learn, repeat), and I've noticed a few things resulting from my practice.
My overall energy has increased - this was unexpected. After all, "sitting" - wouldn't that make one more tired? As a sedentary practice - yet the opposite is true. It appears to have an energizing effect, to the point of insomnia sometimes if I do it at the wrong time (an odd "alert" state at unexpected times). Increased mental awareness, clarity, calm, physical energy, more self-control (to an extent), etc. Leaves me "buzzing" sometimes?
A sense of deep calm combined with a heightened state of awareness - interesting and somewhat new experience for me. I have experienced this before, but completely by accident, more like a dream-state before (don't know how I got there, just happened), but this seems to be happening with longer sitting periods and possibly deeper meditative states? Not sure. Just seems connected.
Stuff that used to bother me, isn't bothering me as much. Or it may still bother me initially, but quickly falls away after I consider it, then realize - it's irrelevant, or I find a better way to handle it and let it drop. Thus - stress level is decreasing. Another unexpected result that seems connected.
Also - as I noticed last night, it is becoming easier for me to sit, and then "sit" - futz around less, and go deeper with less struggle. It's not all roses, but it's not the struggle that it was. Not sure how to explain that was, or to say that it is easy. My body still rebels on me, but then sometimes I feel that drop as well. So it also takes me a moment to reorient myself to my surroundings if there is an interruption, and I'm not sure if that is a problem. I don't fall asleep, but my mind goes very quiet and "in retreat" ...... I am finding that regular exercise is helping to counteract the physical demands of sitting.
Sorry, I do not have a language for this, so what I am saying might not make any sense.
I personally think all of this is connected in some way to my longer sitting sessions. It's an interesting experience, considering the recent changes in my life circumstances, and what my practice is now enabling me to handle. I'm both adding *more* to my schedule (longer sitting sessions, more practice) and reducing my stress response and anxiety levels at the same time. Counterintuitive, in a way - but fascinating at the same time.
This is probably documented somewhere, but I have not researched it.
Gassho
Kim
Sat today
I tend to approach life in general in a rather methodical manner (I observe and learn from my observations, then see what else I can apply it to, observe, learn, repeat), and I've noticed a few things resulting from my practice.
My overall energy has increased - this was unexpected. After all, "sitting" - wouldn't that make one more tired? As a sedentary practice - yet the opposite is true. It appears to have an energizing effect, to the point of insomnia sometimes if I do it at the wrong time (an odd "alert" state at unexpected times). Increased mental awareness, clarity, calm, physical energy, more self-control (to an extent), etc. Leaves me "buzzing" sometimes?
A sense of deep calm combined with a heightened state of awareness - interesting and somewhat new experience for me. I have experienced this before, but completely by accident, more like a dream-state before (don't know how I got there, just happened), but this seems to be happening with longer sitting periods and possibly deeper meditative states? Not sure. Just seems connected.
Stuff that used to bother me, isn't bothering me as much. Or it may still bother me initially, but quickly falls away after I consider it, then realize - it's irrelevant, or I find a better way to handle it and let it drop. Thus - stress level is decreasing. Another unexpected result that seems connected.
Also - as I noticed last night, it is becoming easier for me to sit, and then "sit" - futz around less, and go deeper with less struggle. It's not all roses, but it's not the struggle that it was. Not sure how to explain that was, or to say that it is easy. My body still rebels on me, but then sometimes I feel that drop as well. So it also takes me a moment to reorient myself to my surroundings if there is an interruption, and I'm not sure if that is a problem. I don't fall asleep, but my mind goes very quiet and "in retreat" ...... I am finding that regular exercise is helping to counteract the physical demands of sitting.
Sorry, I do not have a language for this, so what I am saying might not make any sense.
I personally think all of this is connected in some way to my longer sitting sessions. It's an interesting experience, considering the recent changes in my life circumstances, and what my practice is now enabling me to handle. I'm both adding *more* to my schedule (longer sitting sessions, more practice) and reducing my stress response and anxiety levels at the same time. Counterintuitive, in a way - but fascinating at the same time.
This is probably documented somewhere, but I have not researched it.
Gassho
Kim
Sat today
There may even be whole days and weeks like that, like during the rainy season. 
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