Practical Insight Meditation: Basic and Progressive Stages

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Buddhist Publication Society, 1980 - 60 Seiten
The practice of Vipassana or insight meditation was described by the Buddha as the direct way, for the overcoming of all sorrow and grief and for realizing Nibbana, the state of perfect liberation from suffering. The essence of this practice consists in the four foundations of mindfulness: mindful contemplation of the body, feelings, state of mind, and mind objects. Combining extensive knowledge of the Buddhist scriptures with profound [personal experience, the Venerable Mahasi Sayadaw has ordered the various aspects of Vipassana into a clear, simple and direct system that has spread widely in both the East and the West. In the present work he explains in lucid language the key steps in the practice of Vipassana. The first part of his work provides instructions in the basic exercises to be undertaken by a newcomer to the meditation. The second part sketches the progressive stages of insight that unfold as the practice advances toward its goal. The Venerable Mahasi Sayadaw was one of th
 

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Seite x - This is the sole way for the purification of beings, for the overcoming of sorrow and lamentation, for the ix destroying of pain and grief, for reaching the right path, for the realization of Nibbana, namely, the four foundations of mindfulness.
Seite 55 - ... this is not mine, this I am not, this is not my eternal soul.'"33 And the same assertion can be said of feeling, perception, dispositions, and consciousness also.
Seite 6 - Perform all these actions in a slow deliberate manner. As soon as you are settled in the new position, continue with the contemplation of the abdominal movements. If you become uncomfortably warm in the new position resume contemplation in another position keeping to the procedure as described in this paragraph. Should an itching sensation be felt in any part of the body, keep the mind on that part and make a mental note, itching. Do this in a regulated manner, neither too fast nor too slow. When...
Seite 1 - ... Basic Practice Preparatory Stage If you sincerely desire to develop contemplation and attain insight in this your present life, you must give up worldly thoughts and actions during training. This course of action is for the purification of conduct, the essential preliminary step towards the proper development of contemplation. You must also observe the rules of discipline prescribed for laymen (or for monks, as the case may be), for they are important in gaining insight. For layfolk, these rules...
Seite ix - This is the only way, monks, for the purification of beings, for the overcoming of sorrow and lamentation, for the destruction of suffering and grief, for reaching the right path, for the attainment of Nibbana, namely the four Foundations of Mindfulness.
Seite 3 - ... contemplation, then obtain a more comfortable way of sitting. Now proceed with each exercise in contemplation as described. Basic Exercise I Try to keep your mind (but not your eyes) on the abdomen. You will thereby come to know the movements of rising and falling of this organ.
Seite 52 - There is the body", mindfulness hereof becomes thereby established, far enough for the purposes of knowledge and of self-collectedness.' (Ibid., p. 328.) 'When he is walking (he) is aware of it thus: "I walk"; or when he is standing, or sitting, or lying down, he is aware of it. However he is disposing the body, he is aware thereof.
Seite 9 - ... or up, forward, down. When you look at the water faucet, or water pot, on arriving at the place where you are to take a drink, be sure to make a mental note looking, seeing. When you stop walking, stopping. When you stretch the hand, stretching. When the hand touches the cup, touching. When the hand takes the cup, taking. When the hand dips the cup into the water, dipping.
Seite 21 - It is through ignorance that we enjoy life. But in truth, there is nothing to enjoy. There is a continuous arising and disappearing by which we are harassed ever and anon. This is dreadful indeed. At any moment we may die and everything is sure to come to an end. This universal impermanence is truly frightful and terrible.
Seite 52 - And moreover, bhikkhus, a brother — whether he departs or returns, whether he looks at or looks away from, whether he has drawn in or stretched out [his limbs], whether he has donned under-robe, over-robe, or bowl, whether he is eating, drinking, chewing, reposing, or whether he is obeying the calls of nature — is aware of what he is about. In going, standing, sitting, sleeping, watching, talking, or keeping silence, he knows what he is doing.

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