Practical aspects Flashcards
What is the main focus of mindfulness practice?
The main focus of mindfulness practice is to pay close attention to the breath, sensations, thoughts, and emotions as they arise and fall away.
How can noting combined with counting be helpful in meditation?
Noting combined with counting, such as counting breaths, helps to maintain focus and recognize when the mind gets lost in thought.
What should you do when you hear a loud sound during meditation?
Instead of seeing it as a disturbance, make the loud sound the object of meditation and pay close attention to it without trying to control it.
What is the goal of mental noting in meditation?
The goal of mental noting is to connect attention more closely to the breath and realize when you are lost in thought.
How does paying precise attention to the breath help in meditation?
Paying precise attention to the breath helps train the concentration muscle and enhances focus.
What should you check about your attitude during meditation?
Check if there is any wanting, impatience, or avoidance of something unpleasant.
What is the main obstacle to paying attention in meditation?
The primary obstacle to paying attention is getting lost in thought.
What is the practice when you realize you are lost in thought during meditation?
When you realize you are lost in thought, pay attention to the thought itself and notice what happens to it.
What did Sam suggest about any experience in meditation?
Any experience is a potential object of meditation; the practice is to see, hear, and feel whatever is appearing in consciousness with clarity and wisdom.
How should you approach emotions like sleepiness or anxiety during meditation?
Notice where in your body you feel these emotions and observe how they change and disappear as you focus on them.
What concept did Sam introduce about the flow of consciousness?
Everything is just appearing on its own in the flow of consciousness, without a ‘you’ creating anything.
What was the visualization exercise involving a candle about?
The exercise demonstrated that thoughts and sensations appear in consciousness and there is no distinction between inside and outside.
What is the purpose of opening your eyes and visualizing a candle?
The purpose is to show that thoughts are just another type of appearance in consciousness, helping to dissolve the sense of ‘inside’ and ‘outside’.
