Spirit Step 1 thoughts

["Richard Be X Born <ribex@...>" <ribex@...>]

Greetings!

I've had some thoughts regarding the practice of step one schooling 
of spirit.

First of all, I remember people wondering about where in the IIH it 
says that the emptiness of mind exercise should be continued. It says 
so in the summary of exercises step two.

To me it was always obvious that this particular exercise, as well as 
the others, are to be continued past step one. After all, they are 
such excellent tools!

The practice regime which I've adopted might offer some of you some 
ideas. I've chosen to move on to step two, while still spending one 
part of every day to the spirit exercises of step one. I use these 
(observation/one-pointedness/vacancy) to deeper my understanding of 
topics of interest. In other words, it is not just exercise, but 
rather meditation, on the side of the progressive practice of step 
two.

I would like to thank Rawn for the great inspiritation regarding the 
switching of focus within the same session.

My method of practice during meditation. I choose a topic, and then I

* Observe my thoughts in relaxation until I feel ready to pursue the 
topic

* Then I fall into a one-pointedness, pursuing the topic.

* When the one-pointedness has gotten deep enough, I fall into 
vacancy of mind by cutting off even the one-pointedness.

* As soon as I fall out of vacancy, I return directly to the one-
pointedness topic. 

* Then I fluctuate the rest of the meditation between one-pointedness 
and vacancy for as long as feels comfortable or until I've run out of 
time.

The above procedure works very powerfully for me; it is amazing how 
much meaning is inherent within a seemingly simple topic! It is so 
cool going deeper like this; Say it, Forrest!!! "It's like a box of 
chocolates... you never know what you're gonna get!" ;)

I do the above meditation as well as the exercises of step two.

Thanks for your patience!

Well met
Vovin