The third level of mediation is choice-less with no-thing to do. No object of your focus (as opposed to the nose in level 1 and the body in level 2). It is level 3 for a reason. It is hard to not have an object of focus and not have your mind take over with thoughts of past/present/future.

This is why you must first learn to sit your mind with the use of level 1 to form concentration and level 2 to de-program/condition with neutrality. Once de-conditioned and with strong neutrality, choice-less awareness is a little easier. Sit and be still.

  • Sounds counter-intuitive and not nothing. You might have already been doing this but if not, it is a potential step you can take. You’ll be staring out at the back of your eye-lids or at least that is what you think. Now rest in choiceless awareness.

  • Don’t search for something to see, nor give what you see attention. You are going for closed-eyed peripheral vision and you are resting in it with no force. The dude abides.

  • You are going to be met with some interesting spacial experiences. Don’t get stuck wondering around so to speak. This is kinda like realizing you are in a dream and intending to progress forward upon the realization. Gently and subtly suggest progressing forward. The formless gates are a fickle business. Be patient, be choiceless and be neutral for as long as it takes, and then some.

Practice Daily: Ideally with a dash of 1, 2 and mostly 3 if you are to that level and ability. Otherwise, spend an hour with meditation 1 or 2. They need adequate development.

When ready, sit for a long undetermined duration (something north of 90 minutes). “Negative” sensations are needed to tune and strengthen neutrality. It is through the suffering door that the full weight of impermanence can be known and the self structure can be seen for what it is, nothing.

Go empirically know, meditate.

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