Question

What is meant by formless meditation? Does it mean no object, any object that arises at a particular moment, or something else? Please explain.

Answer

Well I'm not sure what you are referring to as "formless meditation," however, in the scriptures there are high states of concentration that are referred to as formless meditations. In that case, it doesn't have an object of material body, it's more in the mind. I think some of the classic ones are contemplating perception and no perception, emptiness, these sorts of things. So if that's what you're referring to, that's what that means. On a less elaborate level, formless, it could mean more moment to moment awareness, that is, we're not sticking to one object, we're just observing the particular experiences that arise at that particular time, so on this level, that is what it could mean.

Our apologies if there are any errors in the above text. If anything seems to be wrong or confusing in any way, please feel free to contact the teachers for further clarification.