Meditation against zoning out (covid side effect?).

[Alex123]

Hello all.

I seem to notice that sometimes I "zone out" in daily life (especially when studying from a textbook), and assume it happens too often in my long meditation sittings.
I wonder,
- what kind of meditation helps to deal with that (samatha, "vipassana")?
- How should I modify my meditation to watch for blanking/zoning out?

Thank you.

[Sam Vara]

Hello all.

I seem to notice that sometimes I "zone out" in daily life (especially when studying from a textbook), and assume it happens too often in my long meditation sittings.
I wonder,
- what kind of meditation helps to deal with that (samatha, "vipassana")?
- How should I modify my meditation to watch for blanking/zoning out?

Thank you.

For "zoning out" during meditation, I would recommend something that keeps your mind really sharp and on the present moment. Counting is good, especially counting breaths. (If you are not familiar with the techniques, let us know and I can recommend a couple).

Having said that, I honestly don't know whether zoning out in daily life is due to an undeveloped ability to focus which you can build up in meditation; or whether too much focus at other times can just make the mind tired so it needs to rest. I have to admit that for daily life and studying I rely on coffee! It doesn't seem to affect the meditation at all.

[Alex123]

For "zoning out" during meditation, I would recommend something that keeps your mind really sharp and on the present moment. Counting is good, especially counting breaths. (If you are not familiar with the techniques, let us know and I can recommend a couple).

Often I do use breath counting in the beginning of meditation ( count 1 on breath in & out, then 2... Up to 10. Then count from 1 to 9. Then 1 to 8, and so on). Maybe I should do more of them, but it does wear me out so that I why I usually do one cycle. Then a bit of "buddho" with breathing, then maybe body sweeping, then just watch the breath.

Having said that, I honestly don't know whether zoning out in daily life is due to an undeveloped ability to focus which you can build up in meditation; or whether too much focus at other times can just make the mind tired so it needs to rest.

The latter seems to be the case. I don't have much energy, and that is probably one of the factors.



Thank you for your reply!

[Sam Vara]

For "zoning out" during meditation, I would recommend something that keeps your mind really sharp and on the present moment. Counting is good, especially counting breaths. (If you are not familiar with the techniques, let us know and I can recommend a couple).

Often I do use breath counting in the beginning of meditation ( count 1 on breath in & out, then 2... Up to 10. Then count from 1 to 9. Then 1 to 8, and so on). Maybe I should do more of them, but it does wear me out so that I why I usually do one cycle.

Yes, that's the sort of thing I mean. Where you have a complicated arrangement that can easily come adrift unless you stay sharp and focused. It's hard going at times, and there are times when I feel really sluggish and it's the last thing I want to do. But perhaps if you try forcing yourself and see what happens - as a type of experiment. Does it completely wear you out, or do you gradually master it and then feel better? Only one way to find out, and if you commit to doing in no more than a handful of times then no damage is done.

Overall, if you are recovering from covid I would recommend looking after your body really well. Good food, sunshine if you can get it, and plenty of good sleep.

[Alex123]

Yes, that's the sort of thing I mean. Where you have a complicated arrangement that can easily come adrift unless you stay sharp and focused. It's hard going at times, and there are times when I feel really sluggish and it's the last thing I want to do. But perhaps if you try forcing yourself and see what happens - as a type of experiment. Does it completely wear you out, or do you gradually master it and then feel better? Only one way to find out, and if you commit to doing in no more than a handful of times then no damage is done.

I will try to do many cycles and see what happens.


I had some strange sicknesses in the past 1-2... I did notice worse problems with attention start appearing after them, hence why I asked this question. It could be that I am getting older, who knows...


As for sunshine... It is below freezing here, sometimes it is very cold (-20C , -4F) ..


Thank you, Sam Vara!

[Meggo]

Walking meditation and Mahasi Sayadaw Noting meditation work well for dullness.

[dharmacorps]

As far as covid goes, you will need to speak to a doctor to rule out post-covid brain fog. Otherwise you'll never know.

[Radix]

As for sunshine... It is below freezing here, sometimes it is very cold (-20C , -4F) ..

In my experience, concentration and energy level improve if I am consistently more physically active, especially outside in the sun. It also helps if I am properly groomed and dressed. I've noticed that some types of clothes invite a lazy or otherwise low-energy approach to living, and so just make everything worse.


Note the dangers of microsleep: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsleep

[Mahabrahma]

A step above Breath Counting is Mantra Recitation. .

[Dhammapardon]

What happens if you take the "zoning out" as the object of meditation?

[Ceisiwr]

Hello all.

I seem to notice that sometimes I "zone out" in daily life (especially when studying from a textbook), and assume it happens too often in my long meditation sittings.
I wonder,
- what kind of meditation helps to deal with that (samatha, "vipassana")?
- How should I modify my meditation to watch for blanking/zoning out?

Thank you.

Recollection of the Buddha, Dhamma or Sangha. Recollection of devas, element meditation, foulness meditation. Those are all quite "active" meditations.

[santa100]

As for sunshine... It is below freezing here, sometimes it is very cold (-20C , -4F) ..

In my experience, concentration and energy level improve if I am consistently more physically active, especially outside in the sun.

+1. Definitely advise one should not lock themselves inside a room to meditate all day. Make sure to set aside some time for outdoor exercises, especially outdoor cardios, they're great for preventing sloth/torpor once one goes back inside to meditate.

[Alex123]

+1. Definitely advise one should not lock themselves inside a room to meditate all day. Make sure to set aside some time for outdoor exercises, especially outdoor cardios, they're great for preventing sloth/torpor once one goes back inside to meditate.

When it is very cold outside (sometimes -20C / -4F). windy, slippery and dark... I'd rather stay inside of my room.

[Alex123]

What happens if you take the "zoning out" as the object of meditation?

Very interesting question... Though how can one be directly aware of unawareness?

[SarathW]

What is zoning out?