Introducing the Buddha’s lesser discourse on emptiness, Ajahn Sucitto refers to his own experience on sabbatical for a year. He describes ‘uninventing’ himself, tuning into the signless – anicca and anata. Whatever we think, conceive, generate has been generated by mind and is subject to change. How to cultivate recognition of what’s not there, emptiness.
When starting meditation, begin with balancing and calming the body and breathing, but just getting it good enough. This is something that is gained through direct practice over time. Bring certain signs (nimita) to mind to aid in calming. The mind’s tendency is to focus on negative things. Practice bringing the beautiful to mind and make much of it.
How to reach jhana; how to know if I’m meditating; feeling warm during meditation; elaborate on channeling breath out of solar plexus; meditation on death; emotions and feeling that arise in meditation – why and what to do with them; doubt; meditation practice vs. study of suttas