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no body/floating feeling
After I have been focusing for awhile on the sensation of my breath I begin to sense no body(no awareness of where my body begins and what I am sitting on etc and just floating feeling...I just seem to stay in this state and once in awhile wondering why I feel this way. Can you comment
about this?
about this?
0
Comments
Note it, and observe it, but don't pay it any specific, particular attention.
It's all 'part of the deal'.
But it's not THE deal.
Another thing to notice and pass on from, Earthlake.
However, and this is a big however, I have to be vigilant about how I feel about this 'receding body' feeling because the feeling of relief from pain can become an addiction itself, an attachment. So I can't allow myself to become dependent upon it. It's a challenge to train myself to use it and not abuse it. But that's a good thing as well because that kind of training is very useful.
Welcome to the site, Earthlake. Great name, by the way.
Many years ago, I used to think that if pleasant feelings were not occurring during meditation, then the session was not successful. This was a very silly way to view it (*chuckle*). All things that happen during meditation are important for me, including emotional and physical pain (Note: Medication to treat injuries, necessary pain management, and/or to treat one's mental health is a good idea. After all, the whole point of dhamma my dear friends, is the elimination of suffering!).
I have learned to gently accept all these weird sensations and thoughts and perceptions as a reflection of my kamma! Harnessing equanimity toward my positive and not-so-positive experiences actually allows those positive experiences to be even more positive because of non-attachment. By "more positive" I do not mean "more" here in terms of intensity, but rather, in terms of a state that is balanced, stable, grounded. Also, because they remain open and beyond expectation and removed from any intentions. Think of the subtly of fine green tea or the aroma of saffron. Less intense, but highly rewarding for those with the appreciation that less is sometimes....more! : )
Think of those times when you are doing something pleasurable with close friends or family that was totally spontaneous; totally unexpected. I ADORE those moments, because they are free-flowing, without calculation, without agendas or intentions. They are liberating, and when they happen, you are naturally connected to the present moment because you realize just how precious and rare these experiences can be.
There is so much beautiful irony in the dhamma! When I let go of pleasure, then pleasure returns to me ten fold without my seeking it or expecting it! When I let go of fear, anger, ego, negative emotions or energy, it diminishes from me ten fold. Releasing mind from pleasure and displeasure alike, and recognizing them as equally impermanent, that is the key.
But the biggest irony of all thus far for me? Whenever the dust falls away from my eyes, it merely gives me the crystal clear vision of just how much dust is still left (LOL!) but hey, that is okay! If we can truly learn to be gentle with ourselves, we can be gentle with just about any being.
Well...except for Dick Cheney. Doing metta for Dick Cheney is the advanced Bodhisattva course!
(Just teasing people, please do not take this last statement too seriously).