Q. Sometimes during meditation, when I’m concentrated, a ‘dot’ appears within my awareness that is lighter than its surroundings. I don’t want to call it light, yet its colour is ‘whiteish’. I wonder whether there is any significance to this, and whether, when it arises, it should become the focus for my concentration. Or should I remain attending to whatever it was that I was initially focused upon (say the rise and fall of the abdomen)?

A. Whatever you have been taught to concentrate on during your meditation should be the sole focus of your attention. All manner of things can come into the mind at these times of concentration and if we give these experiences our attention we will soon lose any sense of one-pointed meditation. If experiences such as these persist and are bothersome, then consult your teacher.