--- In [email protected], Deborah Mingins <taomtnsage1@...> wrote:
>
>
>
> Sorry to butt into the conversation guys, but I am very interested in what
> Steve is saying. Steve, can you give examples of types of "open witnessing of
> phenomena as they arise and pass away," and then examples of single point
> concentration." Why I ask is because my favorite type of meditation is candle
> gazing. I really can watch phenomena build before my eyes and then dissipate,
> like clouds. Is this what you are talking about. I have never heard it talked
> about before, but I can tell you that you are right in the fact that it does
> help develop insight.        Thanks........Deborah
>
Hi Deb. Well, witnessing is just that. I mean watching. By "phenomena" I mean
anything that arises and passes away within awareness. This includes
sensations, thoughts, emotions, perceptions, images, ideas, memories. Of
course, ultimately everything arises and passes away within awareness. The word
"physical" really doesn't mean anything. All phenomena are Mind-Only.
Single-point concentration is the narrowing of the spotlight of attention until
it is focussed like a laser on one object of awareness. Open witnessing doesn't
try to hold any one object as a focus. Open witnessing just observes and lets
go as phenomena arise and pass away. Open witnessing will lead to insight into
the 3 Signs of Being: Impermanence, Non-Self and Suffering/Nirvana.
Single-point concentration cannot do this. IMO.
Steve
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