I just wanted to add the following:
It is a good idea to do a “formal meditation” session too. This will help one’s mind to settle down, especially in the early days.
– This just means sitting down in a quiet place and either contemplate on a Dhamma concept or recite a kammatthana while contemplating on its meaning.
– One may be able feel “bodily sensations” when one gets deeper into samadhi.
Formal sessions are also good to get into jhanas. While our objective is not jhanas, especially those with “jhanic experiences in recent past lives” may be able to get into jhana relatively easily.
– However, it is important not to get attached to such jhanic experiences.
– In particular, one should ignore any “colored lights” or objects (some people see religious symbols) that come to mind. These could be distractions and even dangerous.
– Some may get deeper into jhana and see “white light”. That is good, but one should just ignore that too.
– The bottom line is that any light or symbol belong to this world, and should not be the “thought object” in Ariya meditation.