The below is cross-posted on Reddit Stream Entry so I apologize if you are seeing it twice..
I have been meditating for several years. Started with one year of breath meditation TMI style and then switched about a year ago to breath meditation for 10-15 minutes followed by 30-45 minutes of noting Mahasi-style. My bugaboo is persistent dullness and sleepiness and I am wondering if the noting makes it worse. In some strange way, I feel like I become less "alert" and focused (often right away) while noting compared to simple following the breath.
Like the observer has disappeared but in a dull way, not a fresh way.
Even if I try very hard to penetrate the object and be active and alert, I feel like there is something inherently less lively and fresh when I am noting. Like I am getting lulled or self-hypnotized or something.
To combat this I sometimes note aloud, or with my eyes open, or standing. But still quite frustrating.
For whatever it's worth, I am also prone to drowsiness after about 20 minutes of straight breath meditation. Even though I get a decent amount of sleep, I am also the kind of person that falls asleep within one minute of my head hitting the pillow. This is a great blessing in life but may be a curse for meditation.
I wonder if others experience dullness from noting compared to other practices, or whether noting is just not for me.
Any advice appreciated.
