Meditation and mindfulness are like dance-partners. They each support the other gracefully. There are two types of meditation: focused (shamatha) and contemplative (analytical). Focused meditation also is translated as calm abiding, concentration, and single-pointed meditation. You get the picture. We focus our attention (mind) on a chosen object. It might be the breath at the base of the nose, or at the navel; it can be a mental image of a buddha at our heart, or on our head (crown); or awareness itself. This last one has no object (at least not recognized) during meditation. It is the practice found in zazen, tsogchen or mahamudra. The mind, senses, and heart are wide open, but fixing on nothing, creating an experience of vastness, or open awareness. Next post we’ll discuss about contemplative meditation. You can listen to our new “Unclouded” podcasts guiding you in these meditations: http://theuncloudedmind.com/ Also have a look at my new book: No Fear No Death: The Transformative Power of Compassion.
