The Intuitive Experience in Insight Meditation Practice in Thailand: USAC American Student Reports

Abstract

Vanessa Rojo-Merida Ajarn Phisit Kotsupho Mindfulness and Mindfulness Based Intervention March 30, 2024 Reflection Focusing my thoughts into my palm during my first meditation helped me achieve a moment of clarity; it was almost as if the thoughts disappeared from my head. Even though we had studied breathing techniques in the earlier meditations, on this occasion I felt my legs hurt and go numb, followed by drowsiness, and then, for a brief while, I was able to achieve clarity in which my body was at ease and my mind was clear. Usually, when I'm in pain, I can't concentrate and end up hyper focusing on the hurt. This time, even though I was in pain, I was able to focus on the task at hand by employing the strategies and acknowledging that my thoughts were distinct from me. Later, I was no longer experiencing the discomfort in the present. The sound of the birds chirping contributed as well me in focusing. I found the sound to be wonderfully tranquil and it soothed me when my mind wandered. I applied the methods he described, which involved paying attention to my breathing and visualizing it as thoughts leaving my mind.The fact that we were timing everything and that I had only anticipated ten minutes, which seemed like a fair amount of time, may have also been helpful to me. I usually become quite impatient and find it difficult to concentrate on anything but the timer, but this time I ignored it because I thought it would only last a short while. I believe that when I have a lot on my plate and I put things off, I still have trouble being totally present in the moment. However, there are times these days when I become aware that my thoughts are not in the here and now, and I am able to concentrate by focusing on sounds or other people's remarks. With continued practice and dedication I think that I will be able to attain a more aware life