Perceiving the Illusion and Impermanence of Phenomena in Meditation

Question: Sometimes during dynamic meditation, the mind feels clear and tranquil, like a large blank screen, while sensory perceptions are like images appearing on that screen. Although both the blank screen and the images are states of consciousness, when very tranquil, one seems to sense its arising, primarily at the instant the blankness gives way to a thought. Later, when blankness and consciousness coexist, this feeling can persist. For example, it's like someone freely doodling on the blank screen, stroke by stroke, in a state of clear tranquility and ease. This feeling primarily arises with the ear and eye sense faculties, their corresponding consciousnesses, and the mental consciousness. One feels oneself to be a void-like stream of consciousness or just a physical body. Seeing family and loved ones brings a sense of strangeness; the surrounding world also feels unfamiliar. There's a feeling of not belonging to this world, a desire to renounce it. Although the mind is clear and tranquil, it feels empty and hollow, accompanied by this urge to renounce. What is this feeling about?

Answer: This feeling is an insight gained during contemplative practice within meditative concentration (dhyāna). In concentration, the mind is very pure and subtle. Contemplative thought can then become very profound and refined, leading to clear and deep cognition of the Dharma, enabling thorough understanding. Therefore, the realization of any Dharma principle must be perceived and attained when the mind is free of distracting thoughts and fully focused; it is something the mental faculty (manas) directly verifies for itself. Only when the mental faculty directly perceives and verifies the illusory and impermanent nature of worldly affairs can genuine renunciation mind (nekkhamma) arise. Then, one ceases to pursue illusory worldly matters and turns instead to seek the supreme Buddha Way.