Working with a nimitta in meditation

[@mispanludensprinck5652]

Fantastic lecture! I read in a book by Pa Auk Sayadaw that when one concentrates for a long time on the tactile sensation generated by breathing, nimitta, which is visual sensation, appears. When one continues to concentrate on that tactile sensation, the compound of touch+sight is generated, and then one is supposed to concentrate on that compound (breath+nimitta). This fusion of the two senses could be something like synesthesia. I have never experienced it, but in the past, when I was concentrating, I saw with my eyes open something like a tree that had clouds instead of branches, from which a glow was coming out. I think it may have been some kind of nimitta. But I haven't seen it for about a year now. So maybe in time some nimitta will appear again. :)

[@joshua5544]

Always the best explanation 🙏 Thank you so much for your guidance 🙏

[@meetontheledge1380]

So clear and serving to really ANCHOR the more laborious teachings of Buddhaghossa (sp.?) and others. Training and counterpart nimitta-got it! I'll probably never even experience nimitta (I read the five hinderances must first be mastered), but it is inspiring to know what may come, after breath grows subtle!

[@Tariska10]

Thank you very much, dear Beth! It is a very useful teaching.

[@davidvalouch8231]

Thank you. Simple and clear explanation, very useful.

[@naftalibendavid]

Love your nimitta!

[@crappycigar9665]

Thanks Beth! Very clear

[@karldrogba4909]

Very precise and practical informations. 🙏

[@encarnagorriz1302]

Muchas gracias Maestra🙏❤️

[@aleksander1905]

How should one pick a nimitta?

[@matthewrousseau2982]

I can't seem to get the nimitta. Many don't. Pa auk says no namitta NO JHANA LOL. does it take several hours of sitting a day ? . Or sits longer than 1.5 hours? Thanks 😊

[@bethupton1286]

Developing a stable nimitta depends on many things besides the length of time you sit. Please feel free to contact me if you would like some individual guidance.

[@kheylemiquekheylemique3247]

Hello. Thank you very much for your videos. Sometimes, Pa Auk Sayadaw talks about conceptual breath. He says that we have to concentrate on conceptual breath, not on physical breath. Please, what is conceptual breath, and how to develop it ? Thank you

[@WrongWorld23]

I have aphantasia this means I can't visualize any mental images in my head, I never could daydream like other people, or produce a vivid visualization of a person or a place inside my mind. I have dreams when I sleep, but I can't produce images when I'm awake. Is it still possible to reach Jhanas without Nimittas, or are Nimittas different from normal visual imaginations? It's for that reason that I stayed away from Tibetan Buddhism, because they seem to have a greater focus on mental Images, which I'm unable zu produce. I Always thought that in Theravada or Zen it would be enough to focus my attention on the breath. Will I be stuck without the ability to visualize mental images in my Meditation practice or will it be fine without?

[@bethupton1286]

Hello, thanks for the question. It's actually a very common question. Please don't worry - you will still be able to develop a nimitta as normal using mindfulness of breathing as long as you practice with confidence, contentment and a wholesome mind.

[@jMerkyJJ]

Beth, had a serious question. I was corresponding with someone that gave up on meditation because they encountered demons, and became despondent and empty through contemplating some of the basic tenets of non-self. Is this something I should be concerned about?

[@bethupton1286]

This should not be a concern if you are under the guidance of a competent teacher. Please feel free to book a one on one appointment with me to discuss this in more detail.

[@NatOa-um1wh]

最近サンゲージングをしていると、サンゲージング中も紫の色が覆います。そのあと、毎日毎日黄色の光が見えています。これはミニッタですか？？

[@josephfranklin5083]

Beth can I get in touch with you about practice on a one on one

[@josephfranklin5083]

Also why do most monks say don't give attention to namittas it doesn't make since to me

[@bethupton1286]

Yes, please feel free to book an appointment through my website, and we can discuss your questions at that time.

[@TheMoonKingdom]

Thank you:)

[@nicksyoutubeaccount]

Is the breath nimitta like a spontaneous visualization? Like if I imagine an elephant in my mind, does the nimitta occur in that same "space"?

[@bethupton1286]

No, not quite, the breath nimitta is a stable mental representation of the breath.

[@DamienMcKinnon]

Hi Beth, is there a way to stop the breath from naturally suspending or disappearing too early so that the nimitta has time to appear? Because I find after 15 or 20mins my breath becomes really enjoyable and then will eventually either stop or disappear, bringing with it the most exquisite sensations which seems to pull me into a heightened state of awareness / euphoria / ease for an extended amount of time. Breath/body/thoughts are hardly noticeable (if at all) at this point unless I deliberately shift my awareness away from the euphoria / ease & look for them, but that just seems to disturb my concentration. I'm starting to think my mind is broken and I'll never see the nimitta 😂

[@bethupton1286]

Hello, this is a great question and I will make a video about it in the future. In the meantime please book an appointment with me through my website so that we can discuss the details of your practice and help you move forwards.

[@DamienMcKinnon]

@@bethupton1286 thanks Beth, I'll be sure to do that. If I'm going to be digging a deep hole I want to make sure I'm digging in the right place! 😅

[@AaronJonahLewis]

@@bethupton1286is there a video about this issue? I’m having a very similar experience.

[@nyanavamsa]

Transcription for this video is available at: samathavipassanabhavana.wordpress.com/2024/05/04/working-with-a-nimitta-in-meditation/

[@TheWizard10008]

Beth, is it a bad idea to absorb into your chakras? I started to do this, but I became scared and stopped. That’s the short version of events of course.

[@mispanludensprinck5652]

I've noticed that Beth doesn't counsel online. And this is probably the right way to do it. A doctor has to see you too and can't diagnose blindly.

[@bethupton1286]

Hi David, If you can focus on the chakra as a concept (e.g. the colour/light in that area) then it can work, but not if you are focused on the physical sensation at the chakra. If you would like to discuss this in more detail then please be in touch for a one on one appointment.

[@kheylemiquekheylemique3247]

Hello. Thank you for your videos. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zpa8dGNmaLyMkKM In the above video Pa Auk Sayadaw says that after a certain level of concentration on the breath, the mind is AUTOMATICALLY fixed on the nimitta. This implies that there is no need to intentionally make an effort to focus on nimitta. But in your video, it seems that you advise us to try by ourselves to focus on nimitta. What do you think about this? Thanks in advance. May all beings awaken.

[@bethupton1286]

Hello, yes, it may feel automatic, as by that time the mindfulness is already strongly conditioned to continue arising, however there is still some effort involved, albeit subtle.

[@kheylemiquekheylemique3247]

@@bethupton1286 Thank you !