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?
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