Working in Feel Space

I'm spending much of today trying my best to pay attention to what is going on in 'feel space'. Shinzen Young describes 'feel' as 'Any body sensation that seems to be emotional in nature'.

So what I'm attempting to do is notice how I'm feeling. Actually, to use Shinzen's method properly, I'm noting 'feel' when I feel something.

Why am I doing this?

I hate it how I sometimes react badly ('unskilfully' to use the Buddhist term) to things that X and/or x do. Just saying 'oh I won't rise to it' hasn't helped.

So, instead, I'm observing what goes on (trying to observe what goes on) in my inner-space. If I can identity (label, note) a ('bad' / unskillful) feeling arising then perhaps I can simply allow it to rise without acting something out.

We'll see.

My meditation sequence with Shinzen Young

As much as can, I sit in the mornings. If possible, I'll also sit in the evening. So, this is the sequence:

• Focus on rest - 10 minutes
• Focus in (feel, image, talk: FIT) - 10 minutes
• Focus out (sight, sound, touch) SST) - 10 minutes
• Focus on rest - 5 minutes

PDFs describing all these are on Shinzen's site

I'll report back here.

Meditating with Shinzen Young

I recently came across the meditation and mindfulness teachings of Shinzen Young. I'm impressed with his 'Easy Rest' method which I tried out this morning for the first time.

With 'Easy Rest', one directs one's attention between sensing/relaxing the body and watching for 'blank' states in the mind's eye.

I sat for 15 minutes and quickly entered a deep state of relaxation in my body, my mind was much clearer than usual, rising thoughts and sensations were at a minimum.

The 15 minutes felt like five, time passed swiftly. The only sound was that of the birds. Mmmmmm, good stuff.