Dr. Jay Michaelson
Dr. Jay Michaelson, a lawyer, rabbi, and meditation teacher, discusses balancing deep meditation practice, including experiences of "awakening," with an ambitious, engaged life. He explores the "path of insight" and its often-taboo stages, emphasizing that lasting transformation is the true goal.
Deep Dive Analysis
16 Topic Outline
Introduction to Jay Michaelson's Diverse Background and Meditation Journey
Jay Michaelson's Unusual Motivation for Starting Meditation
Early Meditation Experiences and the Nature of Profound States
Defining Enlightenment Across Different Spiritual Traditions
The Possibility of Full Liberation and Uprooting Greed, Hatred, Delusion
Understanding the Theravadan Buddhist Path of Insight
Exploring the Concept of 'No-Self' and Visceral Understanding
Navigating the 'Dark Night' or Dukkha Nyanas in Intensive Practice
Distinguishing Secular Mindfulness from Deep End Meditation
The Taboo Around Discussing Personal Experiences of Nirvana and Stream Entry
Jay Michaelson's Personal Experience of Stream Entry and Its Impact
Reconciling Ambition and Engagement in the World with Spiritual Liberation
Embracing Pain and Suffering: Lessons from 'The Gate of Tears'
The Challenges of Attaining Deep Insight in Daily Life
The Rise of Pragmatic Dharma and Hardcore Meditators
How Contemplative Practice Could Contribute to a Better World
9 Key Concepts
Greed, Fear, Delusion
In Buddhist psychology, these represent three fundamental types of people based on their primary motivations. Jay Michaelson identifies as a 'greed type,' driven by a desire for every possible experience, including spiritual ones, which is an unusual entry point for meditation.
Flow State/Peak Experience
These are moments of heightened clarity and crispness in perception, where the mind relates to things differently. Jay Michaelson explains that similar experiences of profound wonder, even with mundane objects like a string bean or paint bubbles, can be cultivated through a concentrated meditative mind.
Path of Insight
This is a map or sequence of stages the mind naturally progresses through during intensive Theravadan Buddhist meditation. It leads to intuitive knowledges, where one viscerally 'gets' certain truths, eventually enabling the mind to let go and experience liberation.
No-Self (Anatta)
A core Buddhist concept that there is no fixed, independent, or permanent 'self' or 'homunculus' driving actions. Instead, the 'self' is an emergent property of various causes and effects, and understanding this viscerally helps loosen the delusion of a controlling ego.
Dukkha Nyanas (Dark Night)
These are stages of insight in intensive meditation characterized by suffering, often occurring after a peak experience of 'arising and passing away.' Practitioners may feel dissociative or troubled as they grapple with the impermanence of perceptions, requiring guidance from a skilled teacher.
Nirvana
Described as a state of letting go or extinguishing the pattern of clinging and craving. It's not necessarily a blissful orgasm-like state but rather the mind's intuitive learning that it's possible to unplug from holding onto all formations (perceptions and thoughts), leading to liberation.
Stream Entry
The technical term for the first of four stages of enlightenment in Theravadan Buddhism, signifying that one has 'entered the stream' of the Dharma. It represents a qualitative, transformative shift in one's relationship to experience, making the state of non-seeking accessible.
Quietism
A concern in some mystical traditions, like Hasidic Judaism, that if one is constantly immersed in the divine or fully enlightened, there would be no motivation to engage in worldly actions or fulfill responsibilities to community and family.
Noble Friends and Conversations
One of the factors leading to awakening, as described in ancient Buddhist scriptures. It refers to having relationships and discussions with people who have genuinely practiced and experienced the path, providing lived experience and guidance.
13 Questions Answered
Jay Michaelson was motivated by a 'greed type' desire for every possible experience, including wild, sensuous, and spiritual ones, rather than the more common motivation of reducing suffering.
With a concentrated mind, mundane things like a string bean or paint bubbles can become vivid and profound, similar to flow states or peak experiences, as the mind relates to them in a different, clearer way.
The ultimate goal of deep meditation is lasting transformation of the mind, leading to stages where one becomes more compassionate, just, and suffers less, rather than merely having temporary peak experiences.
'Enlightenment' means different things in various traditions; in Dharma, it's about suffering less and letting go, which is considered possible and occurs in multiple stages rather than as an immediate, all-or-nothing event.
In intensive practice, the mind naturally progresses through a sequence of stages, developing intuitive knowledges about reality, such as cause and effect, which eventually enables it to let go and experience liberation.
'No-self' means there is no fixed, independent self, but rather an emergent property of cause and effect. It is understood viscerally through practice, realizing that actions arise from numerous factors rather than a singular, controlling 'self'.
The 'Dark Night' (Dukkha Nyanas) refers to stages of suffering that can arise after a peak experience in intensive meditation, where practitioners may feel dissociative or troubled. It requires a good teacher and personal resilience to navigate safely.
Generally, these deep, challenging stages of practice only arise in intensive, long-term retreats, not typically for those meditating for short periods daily for stress reduction. Secular mindfulness usually avoids these profound states.
Historically, it was believed a truly enlightened being wouldn't boast, and in contemporary Western contexts, it's discouraged to prevent competitive comparisons among practitioners regarding their spiritual 'attainments'.
One can be 'in the world but not of the world,' wanting things but not feeling distraught if they aren't achieved. It's possible to see through phenomena while still engaging with and loving aspects of life and working for justice and compassion.
No, deep meditation does not eliminate pain or suffering, nor would one necessarily want it to. Instead, it allows one to coexist with difficult feelings without being taken over by them, embracing the full range of human experience.
It's a small, niche community of 'hardcore' or 'hobbyist' meditators who re-embrace traditional maps of insight and discuss their progress more openly, often using online communities, contrasting with the more cautious approach of mainstream Western teachers.
By working on internal forces of greed, hatred, and delusion on an individual level, and then replicating that on a macro level, leading to a safer, less destructive world through increased wisdom and compassion.
34 Actionable Insights
1. Embrace Full Human Experience
Embrace the full range of human experience, including pain and sorrow, as an integral part of being alive, rather than trying to avoid difficult emotions. This approach allows for authentic relationships and profound engagement with life.
2. Coexist with Difficult Feelings
Practice being present with difficult emotions without being overwhelmed or taken over by them, allowing you to settle back and observe them with a slightly different relationship. This enables you to navigate challenges without being consumed by them.
3. Be the Sky, Not the Storm
Adopt a perspective where you are the spacious awareness (the sky) rather than identifying with the transient emotions and experiences (the storm). This allows you to witness joys and sorrows profoundly, like seasons of the year.
4. Don’t Take Ego Seriously
Recognize that the ego, which constantly seeks to run the show and achieve desires, is often the least competent part of the mind and can cause significant suffering. Learn not to take its demands and narratives too seriously.
5. Challenge Inadequacy Voice
When the inner voice of inadequacy arises, acknowledge its presence (‘oh, there’s that voice’) but avoid believing it or letting it dictate your self-worth. This helps to loosen its grip and reduce self-inflicted suffering.
6. Work on Internal Greed, Hatred
Actively work on your internal patterns of greed, hatred, and delusion, as this personal transformation can lead to a safer and less destructive world on a macro level. This is a ’think globally, act locally’ approach to societal improvement.
7. Cultivate Emotional Authenticity
Strive for authenticity in your emotional expression and relationships, as this enables deeper connection and understanding with others. Being true to your feelings fosters genuine human connection.
8. Train Mind to Suffer Less
Engage in Dharma traditions to train your mind to suffer less by holding on less and grabbing less at experiences and desires. This practice focuses on reducing attachment as a path to liberation.
9. Seek Lasting Mind Transformation
Understand that the true point of deep meditation practice is not temporary peak experiences but lasting transformation in the mind, leading to stages of greater happiness, justice, and compassion. Focus on these enduring changes rather than fleeting states.
10. Practice Over Theory
Recognize that understanding meditation is like a cookbook; you must actively ‘do it’ and engage in the practice to truly ’taste the dish’ and gain intuitive knowledge, rather than just reading about it. Visceral experience is key to genuine insight.
11. Move to Visceral Knowledge
Aim to shift your understanding from mere intellectual agreement to a visceral, intuitive ‘gut feeling’ about concepts like ’not-self’ or ‘cause and effect.’ This deeper knowing is the true point of practice.
12. Develop Concentrated Mind
Practice concentration to quiet the mind’s noise, enabling vivid experiences of mundane things and allowing you to perceive the wonder in every ordinary moment. This capacity is developed, not left to chance.
13. Observe Causes of Actions
Analyze the numerous factors and conditions that lead to your actions, rather than attributing them solely to a singular ‘self.’ This practice helps to intuitively understand the concept of ’not-self’ and loosen its delusion.
14. Observe Desires Without Acting
Practice observing desires, such as the urge to buy something, and recognize that you don’t always need to act on them. Acknowledge the desire and then move on, rather than being compelled by it.
15. Question Fear-Based Reactions
When fear arises in response to external events, observe it and question whether you need to listen to that fear or act on it immediately. This allows for a more considered and less reactive response.
16. Set Right Intention
Clearly establish your intention for your meditation practice, as having this ‘right intention’ is a fundamental and significant part of the path towards awakening.
17. Cultivate Noble Friends
Actively seek out and engage in conversations with ’noble friends’ – experienced practitioners who have done the work – to gain support, inspiration, and insights from their lived experience.
18. Seek a Competent Teacher
For those pursuing serious, deep meditation, find a competent teacher who can guide you through difficult stages and provide reassurance, preventing potential misinterpretations or distress.
19. Cultivate Personal Resilience
Develop personal resilience to navigate the challenging and sometimes uncomfortable phases of deep meditation practice. This inner strength is crucial for enduring the ‘dark night’ stages.
20. Normalize Difficult Stages
Understand that difficult experiences, often called ‘dukkha nyanas’ or ‘dark night,’ are a recognized and normal part of intensive practice, not a sign of a nervous breakdown. A good teacher can confirm this.
21. View Enlightenment as Slope
Understand that enlightenment or liberation is a gradual process, like a slope from the shallow to the deep end of a pool, with various stages, rather than an all-or-nothing, instantaneous jump.
22. Demystify Nirvana Experience
Approach nirvana not as a mystical, ultimate experience, but as a state of letting go, an ’extinguishing’ of clinging and craving. It is accessible with enough practice and can be demystified.
23. Truly Let Go of Liberation
Paradoxically, to achieve deeper liberation, you must genuinely let go of the desire for it, reaching a point where you truly don’t care if it happens. This non-seeking allows it to arise.
24. Commit to Intensive Practice
Recognize that achieving deeper states of liberation often requires a significant time commitment to intensive practice, similar to the dedication required to become a highly skilled athlete or musician.
25. Consider Unplugging for Deep Practice
If circumstances allow, consider taking extended periods to ‘unplug’ from daily life and engage in silent retreats for intensive practice, as this can facilitate deeper progress.
26. Understand Self as Emergent
Intellectually and viscerally grasp that the ‘self’ is an emergent property of the brain, a helpful process rather than a fixed reality, which helps loosen the delusion of a solid, independent self.
27. Use Meditation for Stress Reduction
Engage in meditation practice to alleviate suffering, reduce stress, and achieve incremental improvements in happiness and well-being. This is a common and effective entry point for many.
28. Focus on Practical Benefits
Utilize meditation for practical benefits in daily life, such as being happier, less angry with a spouse, or more effective with workmates, even if not pursuing ‘big enlightenment.’
29. Secular Mindfulness as Gateway
If interested in deeper contemplative practices, start with secular mindfulness as a ‘gateway drug’ to explore its benefits before potentially delving into more intensive paths.
30. Prepare for Deep Practice Difficulties
Be aware that ‘deep end’ meditation involves confronting difficult aspects of oneself and one’s mind, which can be challenging but is part of the transformative process.
31. Seek Inspiration from Advanced
Look to advanced practitioners who exhibit qualities like being ‘unstuck’ and grasping less, as their examples can inspire and guide your own practice.
32. Practice Letting Go of Formations
Intuitively learn that it’s possible to let go of ‘all formations’—everything you perceive and think—to ‘unplug’ from constant mental clinging.
33. Embrace Contemplative Practice
Engage in any form of contemplative practice (meditation, prayer, yoga) to personally experience its benefits, which can foster wisdom and compassion and have a real impact on the world.
34. Avoid Meditation for Awesome Experiences
Do not start meditation solely with the goal of having ‘awesome experiences,’ as this is considered a ‘bad reason’ and can lead to disappointment or misdirection from the true purpose of practice.
10 Key Quotes
When I started out in contemplative practice, I was searching for the mountain on the edge of the world, enlightenment, the big joy, mystical union, the whole spiritual enchilada of love, wisdom, happiness, perfection.
Jay Michaelson
The doors of perception are cleansed and the world appears very different.
Jay Michaelson
As practice deepens, you realize that these experiences are not the point. You know, it's a little bit kind of a sideshow. And the real point is transformation that's lasting in the mind, not just states of mind, but stages of mind, that it's possible to become 10% happier, or 10% more just, or 10% more compassionate.
Jay Michaelson
The Buddha wasn't advertising, you know, incremental improvement. He was talking about, when he talked about enlightenment, although, as you point out in your book, he didn't use the word enlightenment. When he talked about awakening and liberation, he talked about the remainderless uprooting of greed, hatred, and delusion.
Dan Harris
It's one thing to sort of have somebody say something, and you read it, and you agree or disagree. It's another thing – you know, my word for viscerally is you get it in your kishkas, right, in your guts. Like it's really there, and you're like, oh, yeah, that. Yeah, okay. And you just sort of see it. That's the point of practice, right, to move from one kind of knowledge to another.
Jay Michaelson
Ram Dass said, if you think you're enlightenment, go spend some time with your parents.
Jay Michaelson
After the ecstasy, the laundry.
Jay Michaelson
You can be in the world but not be totally of the world, right? You can sort of want something but not feel as though your life is a mess if you don't get it.
Jay Michaelson
It's possible to coexist with difficult feelings without being taken over by them.
Jay Michaelson
Ultimately at the end of the day, you really have to – it's almost cruel. You just totally have to let go of it. And you can't fake it either.
Jay Michaelson