Object-based Meditation Versus Objectless Meditation I notice I have practised meditation in a very biased way, in the sense that I contemplate my experience in a neither focused, neither supported way. Here, by support, I mean a contemplation supported by an object.

So, basically, I am aware of my consciousness and the interaction of thoughts and impressions within it, although without a specific support.

To me, a focused meditation would imply moments of consciousness unified by some specific centring focus. 

Similarly, supported meditation implies sensory, perceptual focuses rather than experiences which are bound to alter and vary.

An actual object, whether material as a physical object or perceptual as the breath, would fulfill both these aspects. 

QUESTION 1: What is the effect/consequence of meditating in such a vague way? Of simply attending to consciousness without an ongoing object of focus?

QUESTION 2: Would such a way of contemplating actually decrease focus and energy (virya) in some cases?
QUESTION 1: What is the effect/consequence of meditating in such a vague way? Of simply attending to consciousness without an ongoing object of focus?


Consequences might be that unity of mind cannot happen since there is no object to focus attention on, meaning e.g. Vitakka and Vichara, cannot happen.

Insight-meditationally speaking, without an object to attend to, I don't see how insights could arise.


  QUESTION 2: Would such a way of contemplating actually decrease focus and energy (virya) in some cases?


It might block the (seven) Enlighenment Factors from arising.