Noah S:
Hello all, I have a quick technique-related question. I have begun Mahasi noting in both formal meditation sittings and daily life. What plagues me again and again whilst sitting is that it feels like I have to choose between focusing on the voice in my head which notes vs the actual phenomenon being observed. When I really concentrate on what I'm observing, I forget to note or there is not enough 'space' in my attention to note (meaning 100% of my mind is on the sensation).
Have you tried slowing down the notes? Experiment with the speed at which you note. perhaps you are noting too fast to the poin the mental labels seem to becoming more dominant? Perhaps slow it down a little. Wait a few seconds, first noticing the phenomena arising in the moment, then a short note, then wait a few seconds, then another note for whatever is presenting. How fast are you noting?
When I let my attention go, I am able to note continuously. However, I am not as concentrated on the object(s) of attention.
Perhaps you are noting a little too fast. Often it depends on concentration levels and where one may find themselves concerning nanas that conditions what we can see and not see or what the mind finds easier to pay attention to and how fast one can note effectively. We might need to tweak our technique to suit what is going on in the moment. Like I said already, perhaps slowing down the noting speed will give more space to notice what is arising. The noting is there as a tool to keep you honest about what is arising and passing from moment to moment. If the noting is becoming and interruption, experiment with ways of making it not an interruption to paying attention.
I would assume that a close examination of the object is more important than the note. Or is it more important to get used to noting at first, even if it means sacrificing some concentration/close observation?
To paraphrase Mahasi Sayadaw, it is more important to notice phenomena first. End of paraphrase.
Sometimes 'objects' will be extremely fleeting. Let them play out their own path in and of themselves without trying to 'concentrate' on them so they stick around a little longer. Just let the 'objects' arise and pass in and of themselves in their own time.... not seeing details, seeing details, not seeing details, ....it will fluctuate like this depending on stages and mind states. The trick is to accept it all and not give weight to the act of seeing details over not seeing details and viceversa. Same, same. Let seeing details happen in and of itself when the moment matures in and of itself.
Nick