I would tend to note that sort of thing as "seeing" and/or "lightness" but I don't think it matters how you note it - the important thing is to notice it, the noting being just an aid. Did you notice whether you were more or less concentrated/mindful just after that experience? ...

So today during my sitting meditation, at around 25 minutes I began to have a sensation of lightness in my forehead/between the eyes. By lightness, I mean in both weight and that it was as though a flashlight was shining onto that area... it's like I could sense light from a lightbulb but not actual...

How is it possible - as a layperson - to be more prudent in "associating with the wise" in modern Western society, when we are expected to mix and mingle with anyone and everyone? Do many of you have "dhamma friends" - friends who are also Buddhist (or maybe of another faith trad...

Do you mean: can meditation lead to recollection of past lives? Or if you have such a recollection, is it reliable? Can you perhaps rephrase the question? Good topic by the way. second. I'm thinking more of realizations gained through meditation. On another forum I frequent, where there the majorit...

Hi Invincible_Summer, You might find the book "In this very life" by U Pandita helpful. Ven Pesala has it on this web page: http://homepage.ntlworld.com/pesala/Pandita/ In making the verbal label, there is no need for complex language. One simple word is best. For the eye, ear, and tongue...

This is normal. Thoughts and emotions are impermanent. If you note them then you see them as they really are. If you fail to note them they tend to go on for some time, and awareness is lost. Mindfulness of the rising and falling movements is not mindfulness of respiration (ānāpānassati), but atten...

So after a few years of jumping around from zazen to Mahasi, then back to zazen, then to anapanasati as in Thanissaro Bhikkhu's "With Each and Every Breath," I'm settling in on Mahasi-style meditation once more. I feel like it's more structured than zazen, yet not as "imaginative"...

Thanks a lot! It's good to know that there have been well-respected monastics that have supported/presently support the IMS.

I guess it's easy to get caught up in believing that if they teachers are not robed, they're less legitimate.

As part of my journey away from zazen and into Theravadan styles of meditation, I've been looking for a sangha to join. However, the only Theravadan sanghas around are either quite far away or cater specifically to Burmese/Laotian immigrants (no services in English). There is a local branch of the I...

My name is Dan. I'm 25 and am born & raised in British Columbia, Canada. I've been actively practicing Buddhism in various forms for about 3 years now. I grew up in a Christian (Baptist) family, but began to lose faith around 16 years old. While in university, I dabbled in radical politics and t...

Long time lurker of these forums, but decided to finally register so I can participate in these discussions. My name is Dan. I'm 25 and am born & raised in British Columbia, Canada. I've been practicing Buddhism in various forms for about 3 years now, mainly in Soto Zen. However, within the past...