10/08/2019
For the past month I’ve been exclusively practicing "Shamatha" meditation for a minimum of 30 minutes every morning. This is a technique that helps calm the mind.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
This is a concentration practice focused on a single object. This could be any object, like a candle or a sound, but commonly it's the breath, "Anapanasati" aka "Mindfulness of Breathing". Since the breath is always with us, it's an easy object to practice with at anytime.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The practice is simply concentrating on the breath and when the mind wanders, realize that it's wandering and go back to the breath.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
There's lots of times that I feel my meditations sucked, where my mind was all over the place and I couldn't concentrate.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
There are also times when I've been able to let go of thoughts and return to the breath, that I've been able to tap into something deeper and sink down into a meditative state.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The point isn’t good or bad, those are just labels. In either case there is a depth to the practice that has unfolded for me through this dedication.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
It's said that practice will lead to success in practicing the Four Establishments of Mindfulness (observing the body, the feelings, the mind, and objects of the mind).
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
If the Four Establishments of Mindfulness is developed and practiced continuously, it will lead to success in the practice of the Seven Factors of Awakening (mindfulness, investigation, energy, joy, relaxation, concentration, and equanimity).
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The Seven Factors of Awakening, if developed and practiced continuously, will give rise to understanding and liberation of the mind.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
That's a lot to think about. For now I'm just going to let it go and go back to my breath.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🙏