Solitary Anagarika?

[frankk]

@Viveka

So rather than focus on what is still missing from “perfect” practice, to look at how much has been learned and how much further along the path one has come so far. To feel happiness at this

That’s a really important point, that piti isn’t something that just happens to you as a result from being in jhana, you have to train yourself to actively turn Piti on command. One of main techniques of pīti-sambojjhanga, how it directly is linked to factor # 3 viriya-sambojjhanga (one continuously 24/7 using right effort to purify oneself). As we do that, then we should recognize and appreciate the fruit of that effort:

AN 6.20 (marana sati, death remembrance sutta):

(the default way to generate pīti, pamojja, in 7sb)

♦ “sace pana, bhikkhave, bhikkhu	{but} if, monks, (a) monk,
paccavekkhamāno evaṃ jānāti —	(on) reflecting thus realizes --
‘n-atthi me	'not-existing (in) me [are]
pāpakā akusalā dhammā ap-pahīnā,	evil un-skillful qualities un-abandoned,
ye me assu rattiṃ kālaṃ	that I might, (by) night time's [death]
karontassa antarāyāyā’ti,	(still have) active (as an) obstacle,
tena, bhikkhave, bhikkhunā	then monks, (a) monk
teneva	for that very [reason],
pīti-pāmojjena vihātabbaṃ	enraptured-(and with)-gladness (he) should-dwell,
aho-ratt-ānu-sikkhinā	day-(and)-night-(he)-trains
kusalesu dhammesu.	(in) skillful qualities.

[Viveka]

Thank you @frankk for expounding on this. Very useful indeed

[Viveka]

And hence the importance of sustained virtue - so no regrets to get in the way of experiencing Piti

I love the dhamma - how it all relates/inter-relates

[aconlan]

So happy to hear that you are doing well It sounds as though your journey was a great success! Anything we can do to increase our understanding is helpful on the path. I find that the more I expect things to be a certain way, the more it seems they never are. Impermanence at work I suppose

I was recently offered a job as a camp host in the forest of Montana and I’m living here in my van for the summer. I still have work to do, bills to pay, etc. but I am finding the peace and quiet to be helpful for my practice. Precepts also seem easier without so many distractions. Maybe I can come away with some realizations like you have had

BTW, the “grass truly is greener” here in the forest than out on the plains where I’m from. But Samsara remains.

“Wander alone
like a rhinoceros” - Khaggavisana Sutta

[Viveka]

@aconlan

I was recently offered a job as a camp host in the forest of Montana and I’m living here in my van for the summer. I still have work to do, bills to pay, etc. but I am finding the peace and quiet to be helpful for my practice. Precepts also seem easier without so many distractions.

Hi @aconlan, that sounds wonderful I’m so glad that things are working out so nicely for you. Enjoy that green grass!

@aconlan

“Wander alone

like a rhinoceros” - Khaggavisana Sutta