In waking up, people experience and report ecstatic states. Often these states are associated with euphoria in which feelings of pleasure, ease, and excitement are greatly expanded. Others report bliss or a feeling of total happiness. And still others report equanimity or stability of the mind in experiences of awakening. In this episode, Polly and Mike talk about the kinds and qualities of emotional states that are sought by practitioners who want to wake up. What are the take-aways from these different states? What are you looking for emotionally in your awakenings?
1. Why do people seek ecstatic states through dance, drugs, religion?
2. What happens in euphoria?
3. What exactly is equanimity and why is it important in awakening?
4. Why is bliss sometimes understood as an obstacle in waking up?
Bill Waldron PhD is professor of Religious Studies at Middlebury College where he teaches Indian religions, especially Buddhism. His recent book “Mind Only: Why...
What does it mean to be impulsive from the perspective of how you see yourself and other people? When does this way of acting...
Support the podcast: https://gofund.me/621e367c In this fascinating and rare conversation, Polly and Mike speak with psychologist and Zen teacher Seth Segall PhD whose recent...