The body/mind has a way of resolving/dissolving all kinds of issues. If one simply sits in a chair, and silently contemplates an unresolved issue, it will sometimes come to the surface in a most surprising way, be seen in a completely different way, and subsequently evaporate. In a way, it's like getting in touch with the deepest aspect of one's being, and allowing the truth to become so obvious that it can't be ignored. In the past I have purposely sat and contemplated an unresolved issue, and had this sort of thing happen.
One time it required five hours of contemplation before the truth suddenly became obvious. At other times I have hiked uphill (a favorite activity) while contemplating an issue, and had the same thing happen. In each case it was a matter of bearing in mind, without thinking, what I wanted to know or what I wanted resolved. It is somewhat different than ATA because it is a form of directed contemplation. I suspect that this is similar to what a scientist does who has exhausted all avenues of thought, has learned everything possible about a problem, and simply bears in mind the issue that needs resolution. In the case of scientist we call the resulting breakthrough a "eureka experience." In the case of an existential issue, we call it a "kensho experience" or "an epiphany."
Gangaji often tells people to sit and feel everything associated with a particular issue. Invite any shame, guilt, embarrassment, remorse, worry, regret, etc. associated with an issue to become fully present where it can be fully felt. Then, just feel it. In many cases, the intensity of this exercise will lead to a sudden burst of unexpected laughter.
On one occasion a woman talking with Gangaji said that she was horribly afraid of becoming old, poor, and alone. Gangaji asked, "Why wait? Why not be old, poor, and alone NOW." Gangaji told her to shut her eyes, invite all of her fears to become present, and then feel it fully. The woman sat in silence for several minutes and then suddenly burst out laughing. When the woman stopped resisting her fears, they were suddenly seen to be a kind of headtrip with no real basis in reality.
One time it required five hours of contemplation before the truth suddenly became obvious. At other times I have hiked uphill (a favorite activity) while contemplating an issue, and had the same thing happen. In each case it was a matter of bearing in mind, without thinking, what I wanted to know or what I wanted resolved. It is somewhat different than ATA because it is a form of directed contemplation. I suspect that this is similar to what a scientist does who has exhausted all avenues of thought, has learned everything possible about a problem, and simply bears in mind the issue that needs resolution. In the case of scientist we call the resulting breakthrough a "eureka experience." In the case of an existential issue, we call it a "kensho experience" or "an epiphany."
Gangaji often tells people to sit and feel everything associated with a particular issue. Invite any shame, guilt, embarrassment, remorse, worry, regret, etc. associated with an issue to become fully present where it can be fully felt. Then, just feel it. In many cases, the intensity of this exercise will lead to a sudden burst of unexpected laughter.
On one occasion a woman talking with Gangaji said that she was horribly afraid of becoming old, poor, and alone. Gangaji asked, "Why wait? Why not be old, poor, and alone NOW." Gangaji told her to shut her eyes, invite all of her fears to become present, and then feel it fully. The woman sat in silence for several minutes and then suddenly burst out laughing. When the woman stopped resisting her fears, they were suddenly seen to be a kind of headtrip with no real basis in reality.
