A simple and easy meditation to supplement void meditation.

[WoadWarrior]

I notice quite a few people here struggle with void meditation due to intrusive and distracting thoughts, I would like to share something very simple that I have done to train my mind which helps.

Its simply counting, follow all the procedure for void meditation with all the advice given but instead of focusing on nothingness instead direct all your focusing into counting to a set number between 1-10 and simply count aloud in your mind up to the desired number and then reset back to the start, its very simple, much easier than void meditation and is fantastic for building focus, combatting intrusive thoughts and developing patience as you can do this meditation for as long as you can handle, I believe it has a huge a mount of carry over to void meditation and I personally have found it very helpful.

For many of us sometimes things happen and we simply cannot clear our own minds regardless of effort, severe life difficulties can cause this, but I find even in difficult times I can FOCUS my mind, and I think there is a lot of benefit to this extremely simple meditation.

 

[Henu the Great]

I have mentioned many times in the past that the single point of focus can be anything besides the void. Literally anything. As long as it is single-pointed, the training stimulus is the same.

 

[Astrid]

This has worked very well for me in the past for coping with unwanted thoughts, super underrated advice also for people who experience bouts of anxiety! Thank you for sharing, I hadn't made the connection between this and Void meditation until now

 

[Renita]

I have also done this same exact method and it seems to work great for me! Just like Henu the Great said, void meditation does not have to be anything in particular, as long as it is a one-point focus. I know that some members like to meditate on a candle flame as it is easy as well. I tend to focus on an object, and then replay/imagine it in my mind as well as if like a projector almost, and that has worked as well.

Again, meditation is an individual practice and what works for you works for you

 

[Mint666]

I don't believe there is a Zevist consensus on Ramana Maharshi, so forgive me if he taught anything false, but here is part of an AI synopsis on what he called self inquiry. I believe it's the "classic" way to perform void meditation.

Self-inquiry, as taught by Sri Ramana Maharshi, involves a continuous attention to the inner awareness of "I" or "I am". This process is aimed at recognizing the true nature of the self and distinguishing it from the not-self, such as the body and mind.

In self-inquiry, one acts as a witness or "sakshi" to their own thoughts and experiences. The practice involves turning the attention inward to watch the mind and its associated movements, which can be challenging as the mind often focuses on the story of the self (the limited-I).

According to Ramana Maharshi, by paying close attention to the "I"-thought, this "I"-thought will eventually disappear, leaving only "I-I" or self-awareness.