A DISCOURSE ON THE ABODE OF THE NOBLE ONES – DEVELOPMENT OF CONCENTRATION
A DISCOURSE ON THE ABODE OF THE NOBLE ONES – DEVELOPMENT OF CONCENTRATION
At the outset the yogi treats the sense-data as the raw material for his meditation and makes a note of “walking” “bending”, etc. Then as concentration develops, he becomes aware of all the psycho-physical phenomena arising from the six senses. Finally he is mindful only of the ceaseless passing away of the sense-object and the knowing consciousness. Thus he finds nothing that is permanent, pleasant and worthwhile, nothing that gives ground for the ego-belief.
At our meditation-center the yogi begins the exercise in mindfulness by making a note of the rising and falling of the belly when he breathes in and out. Later on he notes all mental events such as thinking, feeling, imaging, etc. The yogi who stead-fastly keeps his mind occupied in this way can in due course become aware of all physical and mental events that occur whenever he sees, hears, etc. He is then in step with the ideal of Ariyaavaasa sutta which stresses the need for self-possession and mindfulness : Sataarakkhena cetasaa samanaa gato.
