synaesthesia
From the Ancient Greek syn, “together”, and aisthēsis, “sensation”, synaesthesia means “crossed senses”. It is when a sensation usually experienced in one pathway also bleeds into another pathway — for...
View Articlenimitta
Literal translation: “sign”. It pertains to a mental sign, image, or vision that may arise in meditation. Usually pertains to a moment in concentration meditation (samatha jhana, samadhi) immediately...
View Articlemetaprogramming
A term coined by Dr. John C. Lilly meaning “awareness of programming one’s programming”. On this site I use metaprogramming as an umbrella term for achieving deep change to one’s experience of reality,...
View Articleopioid
A molecule which exerts the same effects on the body as those found in opium (morphine and codeine). On this site, I am usually referring to the endogenous opioids (e.g. endorphins), which are...
View ArticleROA
Route of administration. The method by which you get a drug into your body. Examples include: Eating Sub-lingual (placing under the tongue) Insufflation (snorting) Plugging (putting it up your rectum)...
View Articleresearch chemical
Basically, the new name for “legal high”. Research chemicals are designer drugs that have been designed to mimic the pharmacological effects of controlled substances while at the same time avoid being...
View Articleinsight meditation
Known as vipassana in Buddhism, insight meditation is the deliberate investigation of the sensations that make up reality in order to understand its true nature. The eventual goal of insight meditation...
View ArticlePath of Insight
Some Buddhist schools believe in “sudden awakening” — meaning enlightenment happens suddenly one day, and the student does not go through formal “stages” on his way to enlightenment. Most schools...
View Articleformal resolution
An intention spoken out loudly or in the mind which carries great determination. A formal resolution is usually made at the beginning of a meditation session, for example: “For the next 30 minutes I am...
View Articlesiddhi
Paranormal powers developed via meditation or yoga, particularly concentration meditation (samadhi / the samatha jhanas). Examples are knowing the future, being able to manifest whatever one desires,...
View ArticleNirodha Samapatti
“The cessation of perception and feeling, Nirodha Samapatti in Pali, is the highest of the temporary attainments. This attainment can neither be said to be a state or not a state, nor can it be said to...
View ArticleStream Entry
The first stage of enlightenment in the Theravada Four-Path Model. Stream entry is attained once the insight meditator has completed his first Progress of Insight and attained a Fruition, which is the...
View ArticleMind and Body
Knowledge of Mind and Body is the first insight attainment after access concentration. It is also called the 1st ñana. It is also the first part of the first vipassana jhana. Its primary obvious...
View ArticleCause and Effect
Cause and Effect, aka the 2nd ñana, aka Knowledge of Cause and Effect, is the second stage of The Progress of Insight. See MCTB 2. Cause and Effect. It comes after Mind and Body in which one sees that...
View ArticleThe Three Characteristics
The Three Characteristics may refer to the three ultimate aspects of reality, namely impermanence, suffering, and no-self or emptiness. See MCTB The Three Characteristics. It may also refer to the...
View ArticleThe Arising and Passing Away
The Arising and Passing Away goes by many names, including Deep Insight, Knowledge of the Arising and Passing of Phenomena, the 2nd vipassana jhana, the 4th ñana, Pseudo-nirvana, The Wave, Kundalini...
View Articlemudra
A hand pose. Mudras create different patterns of energy flow which can be utilized by the meditator in specific ways. Mudras also alter perceptions — for example, palms open facing upward creates a...
View Articleoneitis
Pickup terminology. Oneitis is where a man, in his mind, exalts a woman to an absurdly high status, idealizing her as an angel capable of fulfilling all his emotional needs. This typically involves...
View Articlesamatha
Concentration practice. A Pali word meaning “calm abiding”. Did you like this article? Subscribe to my newsletter * indicates required Email Address * Third-party mailings opt-in Yes
View ArticleFormless Realms
The higher jhanas (jhanas 5–8). Also known as the arupajhanas (“formless meditations”). In these jhanas concentration has moved beyond the object into subtler strata of awareness surrounding the...
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