user-1: In psychology, there is a form of meditation called 'open-monitoring', which involves paying non-judgmental awareness to everything that arises in the present moment. I have heard, and read, that Buddhism typically advises one to have some experience with concentrative meditations before engaging in such open meditations.
Is it necessary to have some experienced with focused attention in order to practice more objectless meditations? Is there a big difference between sitting on the cushion doing nothing, and practicing an open type of meditation? How is the concentration required?

user21231: I think you're misunderstanding the word "concentration" as it applies to meditation.  This is very, very common and I can imagine that it's wrecked the practice of thousands of people.  I want you to think about holding a piece a paper up against the wall with your finger.  How much pressure does it take to hold it there?  If you applied the energy most meditators try to foist on their meditative objects, all the blood would drain out of your finger due to the pressure being exerted.  You'll also quickly grow tired and maybe end up hurting yourself.  In actuality, of course, it takes almost no effort to hold that piece of paper in place.  All you have to do is keep your finger on a single spot, gently apply it, and keep a very minimal amount of sustained pressure.
Single pointedness, applied, sustained.  Sound familiar?
So what am I bringing this up?  These supposed "open" meditations that you are talking about follow the same formula.  Even "doing nothing" on the cushion works the same way.  I'm sure you've read about shikantaza meditation or the art of "just sitting".  Let me be the first to tell you that "just sitting" is anything but.  Rather than get into the intricacies of the practice, however, let's just say for now that act of not moving satisfies the criteria of single pointedness, applied thought, and sustained thought (and if you don't believe me, sit in one place, utterly still, for 30 minutes).  As we pin down our bodies according to those restrictions, only then can we really "notice" the distractions and other phenomena that arise.  We have to establish a stable seat in order to appreciate those things that would try to move us.
So those open meditations?  They aren't really as open-ended as you might think.  They only really work provided that we've first "set up our seat" so to speak and have achieved stability of mind (not, as most people think, a laser-like, "concentrated" mind).  If you just plop down on the cushion and start noting what comes up, you'll quickly start following your mind down all sorts of rabbit holes.  Worse still, you'll have no place to return to for when you do wander.  What comes up in meditation is actually pretty meaningless.  The coming back to rest on that single place is what really matters.

-1: <p>In psychology, there is a form of meditation called 'open-monitoring', which involves paying non-judgmental awareness to everything that arises in the present moment. I have heard, and read, that Buddhism typically advises one to have some experience with concentrative meditations before engaging in such open meditations.</p>
<p>Is it necessary to have some experienced with focused attention in order to practice more objectless meditations? Is there a big difference between sitting on the cushion doing nothing, and practicing an open type of meditation? How is the concentration required?</p>
 21231: <p>I think you're misunderstanding the word &quot;concentration&quot; as it applies to meditation.  This is very, very common and I can imagine that it's wrecked the practice of thousands of people.  I want you to think about holding a piece a paper up against the wall with your finger.  How much pressure does it take to hold it there?  If you applied the energy most meditators try to foist on their meditative objects, all the blood would drain out of your finger due to the pressure being exerted.  You'll also quickly grow tired and maybe end up hurting yourself.  In actuality, of course, it takes almost no effort to hold that piece of paper in place.  All you have to do is keep your finger on a single spot, gently apply it, and keep a very minimal amount of sustained pressure.</p>
<p>Single pointedness, applied, sustained.  Sound familiar?</p>
<p>So what am I bringing this up?  These supposed &quot;open&quot; meditations that you are talking about follow the same formula.  Even &quot;doing nothing&quot; on the cushion works the same way.  I'm sure you've read about shikantaza meditation or the art of &quot;just sitting&quot;.  Let me be the first to tell you that &quot;just sitting&quot; is anything but.  Rather than get into the intricacies of the practice, however, let's just say for now that act of not moving satisfies the criteria of single pointedness, applied thought, and sustained thought (and if you don't believe me, sit in one place, utterly still, for 30 minutes).  As we pin down our bodies according to those restrictions, only then can we really &quot;notice&quot; the distractions and other phenomena that arise.  We have to establish a stable seat in order to appreciate those things that would try to move us.</p>
<p>So those open meditations?  They aren't really as open-ended as you might think.  They only really work provided that we've first &quot;set up our seat&quot; so to speak and have achieved stability of mind (not, as most people think, a laser-like, &quot;concentrated&quot; mind).  If you just plop down on the cushion and start noting what comes up, you'll quickly start following your mind down all sorts of rabbit holes.  Worse still, you'll have no place to return to for when you do wander.  What comes up in meditation is actually pretty meaningless.  The coming back to rest on that single place is what really matters.</p>
