Wisdom Insight Letter No. 226
Mind and Mind factors (Citta and Cetasika) 30: Ekaggata (one-pointedness: concentration) 2: Samadhi 1
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Last week, we talked about the role of one-pointedness (ekaggata), which is translated as 'concentration'.
Buddhism presents three disciplines (sila, samadhi, and pannya), and the second, samadhi, means calmness. In order to calm the mind or to silence the distracted mind, a concentrated mind is needed. That is why we practice samatha meditation, which focuses on one object.
Distraction is because the mind is busy with too many objects. Therefore, even in the moment of distraction, there is concentration of ekaggata. However, in order to be calm and not distracted, it is necessary to simplify the object and focus on one object continuously. The more calm the mind becomes, the more concentration can be strengthened.
Concentration is focused on one object at the moment of perception. Concentration is always present while we are alive. Concentration is present even in the fleeting moment and restlessness. Practice is training how to control and regulate one's mind. Therefore, we need to understand right concentration (one of the Eightfold Path).
In letter no. 219, we studied that the mind is classified into four types from the Abhidhamma perspective: wholesome mind, unwholesome mind, resultant mind and functional mind.
Concentration(ekaggata) with unwholesome mind is called ‘wrong samadhi’ or ‘wrong concentration.’ Right samadhi or right concentration refers to concentration with wholesome mind. Right samadhi is concentration on an object in a right and wholesome way. Right concentration is manifested as calmness and wisdom of mind.
Many people practice samatha meditation without understanding right concentration. They only see the purpose of meditation as relaxation and become attached to it. That is not fundamentally a wholesome intention of mind. The right purpose is to even temporarily remove the defilements or negativity of the mind.
For right samadhi (samma-samadhi), a right understanding of samatha is necessary.
The following letter continues with the content on the right samadhi.
To be continued…
May a good heart be developed through right awareness (Samma-Sati), right effort (Samma-Vayama), and moderation!
May you develop the wisdom insight through Vipassana!
with Metta,
Ayya Kosalla
at Brahma Vihara Meditation Center in California
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Buddha Sāsanaṁ Ciraṁ Tiṭṭhatu!
May the Buddha’s teachings last a long time!
Bhavatu Sabba Sotiṁ ca Maṅgalaṁ ca!!
May everyone be led on the path of peace and blessing!!
Sādhu Sādhu Sādhu!