Author: Ant_808
Forum: Dharma Overground Discussion Forum
Any advice on my practice in relation to observing what is holding the mediation "field" ?
These last few sittings have gone as follows. I get to the stage of observing alot of diffierent senses rise and fall very quickly then after a while things start to slow down a bit and the mind calms. I can see rise and fall on, more or less, one thing at a time always mindful of three charcateristics whatever it is.
At this stage i try to observe what is it thats holding my mediation field. As I explore this, there seems to be some kind of tension there. It can be more or less intense during different sittings. Less being its just there in the background other times its more like a deep feeling of suffering.
Also I have been noticing latley that it is possible during this satge to go into a concentration sate. Which is strange because i thinking my mediation field is quite broad to be able to contemplate the above question (what is holding the meditation field?).
Some history to my practice i've been meditating mostly everday for about four years including yearly retreats. However i stopped meditating after my last retreat for about 5months bc i am basically stuck in dark night stage and didn't realise it until I found out about this forum and Daniels book. Now I'm back on the cushion for about 3 months and waiting to go on my next retreat in April. This year has not been easy

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all the best
Anthony