<p>When your thought arises, it is thought entering your mind's sense door. This is then followed by sensations and/or feelings arising. Because you can't see the subtleties why this thought of yours is arising, you think that it is not according to the teachings.</p>

<p>Putting too much attention on such subtle things as thoughts, sensations, feelings and what arises/comes first, etc. during meditation should be avoided, because most people's meditation skills are not high enough to see these subtle things and their order of appearance. Even if somebody has high meditation skills to see these subtleties, others who are not skilled in meditation could easily misinterpret such teachings and/or think that something is different in their minds, which is not.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-09-11T09:01:49.000Z
2017-09-11T09:01:49.000Z
beginner
<p>External stimuli activate nerve sensors which transmit a signal to the brain  - in the case of the 5 senses (taste, touch, smell, sight, and hearing). The other sensations you speak of are the result of bodily reactions to internal stimuli (called psychosomatic). These are reactions generally recognized by increased respiration or blood flow as the case my be. They are only semi-voluntary responses. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-09-11T02:33:15.317Z
2017-09-11T02:33:15.317Z
Kauvasara
<p>When one comes in touch with and object with the 6 doors one experiences sensation. When this object is identified it is received by the mind. This again cases sensations. This sensation can trigger further thoughts. When you crave for any of these sensations this case formations which can cause sensations both mental and physical. In this process, one might only part of the process if one is not very aware. Therefore, one might see sensations before or after in the alternating sequence.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-07-17T06:11:50.700Z
2019-07-17T06:11:50.700Z
Suminda Sirinath S. Dharmasena
<p>I've noticed that in many teachings, books etc it is emphasised that something enters a sense door, sensation arises,then vedana then thought proliferates and I can understand this so far as a sound or smell etc  but what I notice in my practice a lot is not that. What I notice is that thought arises followed by sensation for example a thought of a lost loved one followed by sadness or a sexual thought followed by particular physical sensations.  Can someone please explain this.  what ive read must only be talking about one aspect right? I don't feel a sexual sensation then think about it. Its the opposite. </p>

<personal-practice>
Sensations in practice
# Sensations in practice

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-09-11)

I've noticed that in many teachings, books etc it is emphasised that something enters a sense door, sensation arises,then vedana then thought proliferates and I can understand this so far as a sound or smell etc but what I notice in my practice a lot is not that. What I notice is that thought arises followed by sensation for example a thought of a lost loved one followed by sadness or a sexual thought followed by particular physical sensations. Can someone please explain this. what ive read must only be talking about one aspect right? I don't feel a sexual sensation then think about it. Its the opposite.

**Tags:** personal-practice


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## 3 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2017-09-11. Score: 2

When your thought arises, it is thought entering your mind's sense door. This is then followed by sensations and/or feelings arising. Because you can't see the subtleties why this thought of yours is arising, you think that it is not according to the teachings.

Putting too much attention on such subtle things as thoughts, sensations, feelings and what arises/comes first, etc. during meditation should be avoided, because most people's meditation skills are not high enough to see these subtle things and their order of appearance. Even if somebody has high meditation skills to see these subtleties, others who are not skilled in meditation could easily misinterpret such teachings and/or think that something is different in their minds, which is not.


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### Answer by username_2 on 2017-09-11. Score: 1

External stimuli activate nerve sensors which transmit a signal to the brain - in the case of the 5 senses (taste, touch, smell, sight, and hearing). The other sensations you speak of are the result of bodily reactions to internal stimuli (called psychosomatic). These are reactions generally recognized by increased respiration or blood flow as the case my be. They are only semi-voluntary responses.


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### Answer by username_3 on 2019-07-17. Score: 0

When one comes in touch with and object with the 6 doors one experiences sensation. When this object is identified it is received by the mind. This again cases sensations. This sensation can trigger further thoughts. When you crave for any of these sensations this case formations which can cause sensations both mental and physical. In this process, one might only part of the process if one is not very aware. Therefore, one might see sensations before or after in the alternating sequence.


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