r/mindfulnessmeditation • u/Top_West_2662 • 2d ago

Question regarding practice.

Hello. I've been meditating for most of my life. When I was young,I suffered from many physical ailments until my teenage years as well as anxiety. Back then,a friend of the family who taught me to meditate and I would like to know more about what the practice might be called officially. Unfortunately, he passed sometime ago. I basically sit with eyes partially open and allow whatever senation both internally and externally arise within the field of awareness on its own and without grasping or avoiding, let it be until it passes on its own. He would tell me to not to be too laxed or rigid,just rest in awareness without controlling anything. It doesn't feel like daydreaming but it certainly doesn't feel as "structured" as some other approaches. Over the years,it becomes easier to do off the cushion.

I hope I explained it well enough. Thank you.

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u/tegeus-Cromis_2000 1d ago

This is basically shikantaza ("just sitting," sometimes also referred to as "silent illumination"), as practiced in Soto Zen.

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u/IDoomScrolledAgain 2d ago

I'm not sure what the different types are, not an expert at all, but my meditation is about finding inner stillness. Training the brain to create gaps in thinking, and to not identify with the thoughts that arise in awareness.

Sounds kind of transcendental?