Hey everybody!
This is the week of fire kasina. We’ve previously done visual field meditation (earth kasina) with bowls and other objects, but this one is a bit different. Here we start by looking at a candle flame (or other light source), however the real action plays out after closing one’s eyes and switching the meditation object to the after-image. This after-image typically shows up initially as a red dot (known as the nimita) yet curiously it evolves as you continue to meditate on it.
On retreat the practice can even get into some deeply psychedelic territory! However, even as a practice in daily life, fire kasina is great for injecting some variety into your meditation. It offers a great blend of concentration and insight, and can be a welcome change from getting concentrated by focusing on the breath.