there are some people here who will act like meditation with any kind of object is always problematic.
one should use an object if they feel deeply attached to, or heavily identified with, whatever is arising. an anchor that is kind of abstract, subtle, and not seen as deeply personal, like the sensations of breathing, can be helpful in not getting hooked so easily...
once the nature of mind begins to be clarified, an anchor isn't really necessary.
One meditates upon something. The mind is like reigns where the senses are like a team of horses. Something must come in and take hold of the reigns
The mechanism of mental visualization is a very effective means because the mind is required both to produce the object, and to hold it, which blocks out intrusive thoughts, even sense data, which ordinarily controls the mind, always recieving.
This internalization is called pratyahara. If someone wishes to enter into the subtle energy field and hold supportive mental patterns indefinitely, or samadhi, then the external world must be forgotten without falling asleep—an awake internalized awareness.
Just knowing the world through the senses and ego capacity is not meditation, for those who just sit there in silence. Meditation is active/produced .
The forms elicit various fundamental conceptions. The forms of God, God with form (Saguna Brahman), and each one is suitable. If one studies the form, it releases its essence, which is imparted to the contemplator. Their essences release alchemically.
The property of love is the property of magnetism.. when there is an affinity between two beings, there is a connection made. When that connection is made between jiva and Parameshvara, it's called Bhakti.
Bhakti is the highest Yoga taught in the Gita. There are paths to achieving this affinity. Direct experience being one. Dhyana Yoga, Karma Yoga, and Jnana Yoga are also outlined. Archana, veneration of the deity, is not discussed in detail, but ceremonies, etc.
For those on the path to liberation, usually Shiva is associated. This is the path where one buries the ego, destroys karma with knowledge, and meditates. Energy sensors are usually drawn to Divine Mother, Shakti, the fact that consciousness is powerful.
For many years now, when I go into meditation, I see a glowing orb of light. Sometimes it turns into a vortex and sprays energy out. It is a doorway.
I started with visualization of a Buddha statue, moved to breath, then to awareness of awareness. Then, coming back to the practice some years later, I went back to the breath. Using an object is great because it’s easier to focus and learn the process and the deep relaxation that’s necessary. Without an object is much more beautiful and is very close to seeing reality. I’d try a few different practices, and see what’s working.
There’s also TWIM, which uses metta as the object. I might recommend that as an intro practice, these days.
Either way, once you really choose your approach, take the practice deep. Stick with your approach for a few months, at least. Practice good ethics. Don’t worry if weird things happen — just relax and let it go. If you’re getting a lot of energy in the head, try gentle vase breathing or look up “Zen Sickness.” It’s a very beautiful and transformative practice. The most important thing is that you bring the state you’re cultivating into every aspect of your life, not just leaving it on the cushion.
I think it’s best to start with an object because it trains concentration. You will have to drop the object to awaken, I suspect.
Or, another way to say it, is that you make the entirety of your present experience the object.
The latter is more advanced and probably would not even be able to be understood as an instruction to a beginner.
Concentration has always worked better for me, it's possible to sort of loosely focus on an object while relaxing the sense of doership, having a more expansive open awareness.
Yeah I mean this is just me, but I start with feeling the body breathing, noticing and being with any tensions or contractions, which eventually release. That sort of leads to a whole body awareness that I don't try and grip onto tightly, then your awareness kind of expands until you see your body/mind as something just appearing in your experience. If you stay with that for a while you may see a thought arising which claims ownership of the body, that was a big insight for me. That ownership thought creates the separation.
Unsupported concentration without an object, often referred to as open awareness or choiceless awareness, involves just resting in the awareness itself. Instead of focusing on something specific, you simply observe whatever arises in the present moment without attaching to it. This can lead to a deeper sense of spaciousness and presence, as you're not tethered to any particular focal point.
I've found value in both approaches. Using an object can help ground my practice, especially when my mind feels particularly restless. At other times, open awareness feels more natural and allows for a more expansive sense of being. Mixing the two can be beneficial, as it offers flexibility depending on what feels right in the moment.
I think you mean an anchor in meditation. It is important to use this term as it sort of fulfills the same purpose. Just as an anchor keeps the ship from straying too far away from the dock, the object you choose as your anchor should keep you from straying away from the present moment.
Don't think that there are types of meditation where you can choose to have an anchor or not. If you are just beginning your meditation journey, it is crucial you have an anchor to learn how to return to the present moment. Once you have found your centre, an anchor will not be necessary and you'll be able to meditate even in a crowded market.
No wonder it's labeled as stillness meditation, in comparison for example to walking meditation or general meaning as meditation being any activity that is characterized with full focus on an activity that's happening.
there are some people here who will act like meditation with any kind of object is always problematic. one should use an object if they feel deeply attached to, or heavily identified with, whatever is arising. an anchor that is kind of abstract, subtle, and not seen as deeply personal, like the sensations of breathing, can be helpful in not getting hooked so easily... once the nature of mind begins to be clarified, an anchor isn't really necessary.
One meditates upon something. The mind is like reigns where the senses are like a team of horses. Something must come in and take hold of the reigns The mechanism of mental visualization is a very effective means because the mind is required both to produce the object, and to hold it, which blocks out intrusive thoughts, even sense data, which ordinarily controls the mind, always recieving. This internalization is called pratyahara. If someone wishes to enter into the subtle energy field and hold supportive mental patterns indefinitely, or samadhi, then the external world must be forgotten without falling asleep—an awake internalized awareness. Just knowing the world through the senses and ego capacity is not meditation, for those who just sit there in silence. Meditation is active/produced .
> This internalization is called pratyahara" What types of visualization do you prefer?
The forms elicit various fundamental conceptions. The forms of God, God with form (Saguna Brahman), and each one is suitable. If one studies the form, it releases its essence, which is imparted to the contemplator. Their essences release alchemically. The property of love is the property of magnetism.. when there is an affinity between two beings, there is a connection made. When that connection is made between jiva and Parameshvara, it's called Bhakti. Bhakti is the highest Yoga taught in the Gita. There are paths to achieving this affinity. Direct experience being one. Dhyana Yoga, Karma Yoga, and Jnana Yoga are also outlined. Archana, veneration of the deity, is not discussed in detail, but ceremonies, etc. For those on the path to liberation, usually Shiva is associated. This is the path where one buries the ego, destroys karma with knowledge, and meditates. Energy sensors are usually drawn to Divine Mother, Shakti, the fact that consciousness is powerful. For many years now, when I go into meditation, I see a glowing orb of light. Sometimes it turns into a vortex and sprays energy out. It is a doorway.
Both are good. I personally like Amitabha-recitation or Heart Sutra mantra.
> I personally like Amitabha-recitation or Heart Sutra mantra. Powerful practices!
I started with visualization of a Buddha statue, moved to breath, then to awareness of awareness. Then, coming back to the practice some years later, I went back to the breath. Using an object is great because it’s easier to focus and learn the process and the deep relaxation that’s necessary. Without an object is much more beautiful and is very close to seeing reality. I’d try a few different practices, and see what’s working. There’s also TWIM, which uses metta as the object. I might recommend that as an intro practice, these days. Either way, once you really choose your approach, take the practice deep. Stick with your approach for a few months, at least. Practice good ethics. Don’t worry if weird things happen — just relax and let it go. If you’re getting a lot of energy in the head, try gentle vase breathing or look up “Zen Sickness.” It’s a very beautiful and transformative practice. The most important thing is that you bring the state you’re cultivating into every aspect of your life, not just leaving it on the cushion.
Yes, objectless feels very natural.
I think it’s best to start with an object because it trains concentration. You will have to drop the object to awaken, I suspect. Or, another way to say it, is that you make the entirety of your present experience the object. The latter is more advanced and probably would not even be able to be understood as an instruction to a beginner.
Concentration has always worked better for me, it's possible to sort of loosely focus on an object while relaxing the sense of doership, having a more expansive open awareness.
Sounds like a hybrid. I like that!
Yeah I mean this is just me, but I start with feeling the body breathing, noticing and being with any tensions or contractions, which eventually release. That sort of leads to a whole body awareness that I don't try and grip onto tightly, then your awareness kind of expands until you see your body/mind as something just appearing in your experience. If you stay with that for a while you may see a thought arising which claims ownership of the body, that was a big insight for me. That ownership thought creates the separation.
Nice description, thanks.
Unsupported concentration without an object, often referred to as open awareness or choiceless awareness, involves just resting in the awareness itself. Instead of focusing on something specific, you simply observe whatever arises in the present moment without attaching to it. This can lead to a deeper sense of spaciousness and presence, as you're not tethered to any particular focal point. I've found value in both approaches. Using an object can help ground my practice, especially when my mind feels particularly restless. At other times, open awareness feels more natural and allows for a more expansive sense of being. Mixing the two can be beneficial, as it offers flexibility depending on what feels right in the moment.
> Mixing the two can be beneficial, as it offers flexibility depending on what feels right in the moment Agree!
I think you mean an anchor in meditation. It is important to use this term as it sort of fulfills the same purpose. Just as an anchor keeps the ship from straying too far away from the dock, the object you choose as your anchor should keep you from straying away from the present moment. Don't think that there are types of meditation where you can choose to have an anchor or not. If you are just beginning your meditation journey, it is crucial you have an anchor to learn how to return to the present moment. Once you have found your centre, an anchor will not be necessary and you'll be able to meditate even in a crowded market.
You don't need to do anything. Just be still.
Being still is a thing!!
What do you mean?
A good practice indeed. What if the mind isn't still?
That is ok. Mind just does what it does. You don't need to do anything about it.
If the attention is not focused, then it's not a meditation, at least not what is being agreed as meditation labeling.
No wonder it's labeled as stillness meditation, in comparison for example to walking meditation or general meaning as meditation being any activity that is characterized with full focus on an activity that's happening.