On the difference between calm and dissociation

Something I wish more teachers named clearly.

Calm has texture — you feel your body, you are present, things are simply quieter. Dissociation feels smooth and far away, like watching yourself through glass. Beginners often mistake the second for progress because it feels peaceful.

If your practice regularly leaves you feeling detached from your body rather than settled in it, that is worth talking about with someone qualified. Not every still state is a good one.