user19071: I have the following question regarding Vipassana:
From time to time I get unpleasant emotions.  And instead of diving into them, I find a place to sit and concentrate on the sensation that this feeling causes.  After some time, there is no trace of a negative feeling :)
The question is:
Is it ok at such moments not to shift attention all over the body, but simply to focus on a certain sensation? Does it violate the technique?

user-1: As per sutta i think this would be classed 'a concentration development leading to mindfulness & alertness' as well as 'mindfulness of feelings'.
Both are related to what is nowadays called Vipassana. The Vipassana movement has several factions which practice differently, most notably Mahasi method variations and the Goenka method.
Even if it violates a technique, it doesn't make it a bad practice. 
Whether it violates a particular technique or not is a moot point, as mindfulness of feelings would be included.
If however one isn't verbalizing the 'noting' that would make some teachers say you aren't practicing 'our method' which has noting as a distinctive characteristic.
Same with body scanning, some might hold that it is a distinctive attribute of the technique and if you aren't doing it then you are doing something else.
If you want to practice a particular technique then you should stick to the technique. Otherwise you can deviate and train as you see fit.

19071: <p>I have the following question regarding Vipassana:</p>

<p>From time to time I get unpleasant emotions.  And instead of diving into them, I find a place to sit and concentrate on the sensation that this feeling causes.  After some time, there is no trace of a negative feeling :)</p>

<p>The question is:
Is it ok at such moments not to shift attention all over the body, but simply to focus on a certain sensation? Does it violate the technique?</p>
 -1: <p>As per sutta i think this would be classed 'a concentration development leading to mindfulness &amp; alertness' as well as 'mindfulness of feelings'.</p>

<p>Both are related to what is nowadays called Vipassana. The Vipassana movement has several factions which practice differently, most notably Mahasi method variations and the Goenka method.</p>

<p>Even if it violates a technique, it doesn't make it a bad practice. </p>

<p>Whether it violates a particular technique or not is a moot point, as mindfulness of feelings would be included.</p>

<p>If however one isn't verbalizing the 'noting' that would make some teachers say you aren't practicing 'our method' which has noting as a distinctive characteristic.</p>

<p>Same with body scanning, some might hold that it is a distinctive attribute of the technique and if you aren't doing it then you are doing something else.</p>

<p>If you want to practice a particular technique then you should stick to the technique. Otherwise you can deviate and train as you see fit.</p>
