Hello AYP practitioners,
I’m writing to seek some guidance on my journey. I’ve been practicing AYP for about 8 years, and my current daily routine is:
-
Asanas: ~10 minutes
-
Spinal Breathing Pranayama (SBP): 10 minutes
-
Deep Meditation (DM): 20 minutes
-
Rest: 6–10 minutes
Some observations and challenges with my practice
1. Samyama
Some time ago, I introduced Samyama into my routine, but eventually stopped because it felt purely conceptual. It remained mostly at the level of thought and mental repetition rather than feeling like something that was effortlessly released from inner silence. I therefore decided to put it on hold.
2. Disrupted sleep and self-pacing
On days when my sleep is disrupted, I try to self-pace by doing an abbreviated “mini-routine.” Sometimes I simply sit for a few minutes in order to maintain the habit without pushing the practice.
3. Under-sensitivity and spiritual milestones
I consider myself an under-sensitive practitioner. I don’t experience energetic overloads, blockages, or obvious signs of Kundalini activity.
Although I have developed some degree of inner silence through my practice, I would not say that it is particularly deep or well-established. I have not experienced clear glimpses of Samadhi, and my experience of the Witness in daily life is very weak and far from being stable or abiding.
Outside of practice, however, I generally feel quite calm and stable, so I don’t feel that I’m struggling with excessive sensitivity or instability.
My questions
At this point, I’m wondering how best to proceed in order to deepen my practice and move beyond what feels like a plateau.
1. Would it be useful to experiment with a short weekend solo retreat?
For example, doing two meditation sessions in the morning, with a healthy grounding/rest period in between.
2. Or would it be better to reintroduce Samyama and patiently work through the initial “clunky” and conceptual stage, allowing it to gradually become more natural with continued practice?
3. Are there any other adjustments or practices you would recommend for an under-sensitive nervous system, particularly with regard to cultivating the Witness and deepening inner silence?
I’d really appreciate hearing from practitioners who have gone through a similar phase, especially those who experienced a long period of relatively subtle or uneventful practice before noticing deeper changes.
Thank you so much for your time, support, and dedication to this community.
Warm regards,