What does it mean if you have periods during a session where suddenly you realize you have been Blank for lack of a better word for some time? This is happening sometimes to me. I am just returning to the syllable when I realize I have been blank and continuing on.

John P,

We think the syllable, and it refines in some way, then we realize that time has passed without anything happening: no thoughts, and no syllable. It is like a gap, a blank period. We don't know what happened. This is transcending, the diminishing of thought and the experience, however murky, of simply being, existing, without the distraction of thought.

When we become aware that we are having thoughts again, we return to the syllable effortlessly, thinking the syllable just as we have been thinking the other thoughts. Thus the inward and outward strokes of meditation continue throughout each session.

As the stresses continue to dissolve over the weeks and months, we maintain alertness more and more, so the experience of blankness becomes increasingly fascinating. Ultimately, it is experienced as transcendence, which is an experience of unbounded bliss as the self rises to become the Self.

With freedom from stress, life can finally be lived free from problems, in strength, love, and fulfillment.

As you can see, you are having very good insights and experiences.

David Spector
Natural Stress Relief/USA

Thanks for your response. It is a good thing to have the online service to explain what is happening as this technique may require only a little effort but it does require some effort or guidance to understand. Thanks for the help.

I re read your reply several times. This is very powerful for me.

I have a question on the definition of thoughts. I see thoughts as coming in at least two varities: Words and Pictures. Here is the question are shapeless colors and changes in light also thoughts. I see those in a session but I am not sure if they are thoughts.

Also I don't think feeling are thoughts until you try to describe them to yourself. Is that a correct way of thinking?

Why do these questions matter? I am trying to understand what is quite and what is still noise and stress relief. From your respose blankness is quite

John P,

"I have a question on the definition of thoughts. I see thoughts as coming in at least two varities: Words and Pictures. Here is the question are shapeless colors and changes in light also thoughts. I see those in a session but I am not sure if they are thoughts."

We treat images, sounds, and other sensory input during meditation exactly the same as thoughts.

"Also I don't think feeling are thoughts until you try to describe them to yourself. Is that a correct way of thinking?"

Yes. A feeling is a very subtle form of thought. Any "describing to yourself" is a form of analysis, which we treat as any other thought. We never encourage analysis during meditation, but if it happens, we let it happen. It comes from the same stresses that cause the illusion of ego, the limited self.

"Why do these questions matter? I am trying to understand what is quiet and what is still noise and stress relief. From your respose blankness is quiet."

These questions matter only to ensure that we are meditating completely effortlessly. Otherwise, analyzing and labelling aspects of our experience can distract us from the innocence of our practice.

Your experience of blankness (a gap in our stream of experiences) is definitely an experience of quietness. As the stresses dissolve, the nature of quietness changes, stops being unconsciousness and becomes lively. There is much to look forward to as the practice continues day by day.

David Spector
Natural Stress Relief/USA

Thanks for pointing out that I am over analyzing and catagorizing. It is not necessary or helpful to think too much it seems. Just keep coming back to correct experience and practice in each session as described in the manual and watch the future unfold.

It reminds me of a saying in golf. "Don't guide your shots." When you try to guide the ball you loose the free flow of the swing and things get worse not better. Learn a correct swing and just hit the ball.

Thanks for your time and direction.