Self-Observation
This page has no score and records nothing. It is a handful of questions to ask yourself. Do not use it to place yourself or anyone else in a stage.
The book's indicator: can awareness continue
The book says how far you have got comes down to whether awareness can continue without breaking (pp. 112 to 113). With training, not-knowing (ignorance) becomes less and knowing becomes more (p. 22).
Questions to ask yourself
- In the hand movements, do I know my hand is moving? At work, do I know what I am doing? (p. 52)
- Today, how often did I know what I was doing?
- When a thought came, was I carried off, or did I know it and return to the movement?
- After awareness broke, could I start again without blaming myself? (p. 76)
- Is my body and mind tense or loose? If tense, relax; see it and let go (p. 62).
- Have I become hurried or forceful because I want to progress? (pp. 29, 68)
The book's warnings about experiences
- A blank head, blank legs, or feeling you will fly is forgetting yourself, not seeing (p. 70).
- Whether an experience is good or bad, pleasant or frightening, even in calm, do not get drawn in; return to the present movement (pp. 71 to 72).
- Toward joy, calm and similar states: do not cling and do not forbid (p. 73).
- The book says there are stages but does not describe them in detail (pp. 110 to 111). Specific marks of each stage are not stated in the text.
For one teacher's map of stages, see the advanced reference.
FAQ
How do I know if I am practising correctly?
The book's indicator is whether awareness continues. Ask yourself whether you know your hand is moving in the movements and whether you know what you are doing at work (pp. 52, 112 to 113). For a real check, ask a teacher.
Should I hold on to feelings of calm or joy?
Do not cling and do not forbid. Let them rise and pass, and keep knowing the movement (p. 73).
How long until I get results?
It varies by person. If awareness continues without a break it is quick; the scriptures record people taking one day, three days, seven days, a year, three years or seven years (p. 42). This site promises nothing.
Source: Luangpor Thong, The Principles and Method of Mahasati (Chinese title 正念動中禪的原理與方法; the English title is my translation), Q&A compiled by the Taiwan Mahasati association, Religious Culture Press, 2013. "p." means a page of that book; page numbers are to be verified against the book. Paraphrased, not quoted at length.