<p>In Vipassana retreats (as taught by Goenka) there is a relevant emphasis on bodily sensations that may arise. </p>

<p>They first ask you to do Ānāpānasati (to focus on sensations above your upper lip and below your nose, whil breathing) and then to scan your body, with the goal of perceiving sensations that may arise</p>

<p>On the other side, in Zen (soto), at least in my experience, they do not tell you what to focus on, and it seems that there is no emphasis on bodily sensations.</p>

<p>I asked to a Zen meditation teacher if he ever feels <em>something</em> in his body while meditating. His answer was <em>''No''</em>.</p>

<p>So, my question is</p>

<ul>
<li>How can it be that two traditions have so radical approaches to our body ?</li>
<li>Is it true that in Zen there are <strong>no</strong> stages where bodily sensations arise ?</li>
<li>If subtle vibrations arise while doing Zen, what is the right approach to them ? Ignore them ? Analyze them ?</li>
</ul>

<vipassana><zen>
Subtle sensations in Vipassana and Zen
# Subtle sensations in Vipassana and Zen

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-01-24)

In Vipassana retreats (as taught by Goenka) there is a relevant emphasis on bodily sensations that may arise.

They first ask you to do Ānāpānasati (to focus on sensations above your upper lip and below your nose, whil breathing) and then to scan your body, with the goal of perceiving sensations that may arise

On the other side, in Zen (soto), at least in my experience, they do not tell you what to focus on, and it seems that there is no emphasis on bodily sensations.

I asked to a Zen meditation teacher if he ever feels *something* in his body while meditating. His answer was *''No''*.

So, my question is

* How can it be that two traditions have so radical approaches to our body ?
* Is it true that in Zen there are **no** stages where bodily sensations arise ?
* If subtle vibrations arise while doing Zen, what is the right approach to them ? Ignore them ? Analyze them ?

**Tags:** vipassana, zen


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