Correct Version of Meditation

Question

I wonder if I have been practising wrongly all this time. I notice two patterns in my meditation:

(1) Usually, I meditate, but discursive thought still comments on objects, perceptions, other thoughts. I usually focus on the breathing with a commentary, i.e. "I'm breathing," "I should focus on this," "I should focus on that," "My mind is clearer," "My mind is confused," etc.

(2) However, today, I focused on the breathing with very little commentary, just perceiving the sensations at the nose. The rare thought which arose was: "Nothing is happening," "Everything's quiet." My mind was nevertheless alert, and I didn't feel lethargy.

Is this second instance what one should aim for in meditation?

I know one shouldn't control the thoughts, or judge experience, but since both methods mentioned are easy for me, I am curious. I would've thought the second leads to boredom, but rather I find a non-discursive alertness. I also feel that in that moment nothing happens. Thoughts?

Thank you.

Answer 1

(1) Usually, I meditate, but discursive thought still comments on objects, perceptions, other thoughts. I usually focus on the breathing with a commentary, i.e. "I'm breathing," "I should focus on this," "I should focus on that," "My mind is clearer," "My mind is confused," etc.

This is OK for initial developing of meditative awareness or when the mind is exceptionally busy.

This is a way to slow down the discursive mind by replacing uncontrolled thoughts with controlled thoughts, as taught as the 4th method in MN 20.

(2) However, today, I focused on the breathing with very little commentary, just perceiving the sensations at the nose. The rare thought which arose was: "Nothing is happening," "Everything's quiet." My mind was nevertheless alert, and I didn't feel lethargy. Is this second instance what one should aim for in meditation?

Yes; this second instance is what one should aim for in meditation. The less thoughts the better.

I know one shouldn't control the thoughts, or judge experience

When possible, the Pali suttas teach to control thoughts & to judge & replace any unbeneficial discursive thoughts with beneficial thoughts, as taught in MN 19 & MN 20.

I would've thought the second leads to boredom, but rather I find a non-discursive alertness.

The 2nd method leads to calm & (if the non-verbal emotional hindrances can be calmed) to the joy of concentration.

I also feel that in that moment nothing happens. Thoughts?

To believe nothing happens is the hindrance of doubt rather than the spiritual power of faith/trust.

A person wishing to fully practise the Buddhist path should have faith in the teachings.

Before the mind can naturally energize & develop buoyancy & joy, it must settle down, which can appear stagnant for a time.

Answer 2

On the path to Nibbana, the most significant aspect is meditation. “Samadhi” (concentration) is the final element found in the Noble Eightfold Path is which derives from meditation. In this path to nibbana, Dana (generosity) ranks first, and Sila (morality) ranks in the middle, and culminates in the practice of meditation.

“Mindfulness on in-and-out breathing (anapasathi bhavana) enables one to identify the nature of the frame of mind within the Noble Eightfold Path. ‘Ana’ refers to the in-breath and ‘apana’ refers to the out-breath. Being conscious of the process of in-breath and out-breath is known as “anapana sathi”. Mind which arises based on the object of breath is devoid of greed (lobha) and hatred (dosa) as one has unlimited access to air for breathing. Similarly, hatred (dosa) does not arise as one cannot do without air. Thus, consciousness without greed, hatred and delusion arises during the anapana-sathi meditation. This is a state of wholesome consciousness (kusala citta).

When one contemplates on one’s in-out breathing and observes the mind that is devoid of greed and hatred, one gets accustomed to apply the same wholesome mindset in respect of the objects perceived from the sense faculties such as eye, nose, ear, tongue and body. When this practice becomes intense one can deal with all objects with a happy, wholesome mind. This practice would ultimately lead to mundane nibbana. One who is adept at dealing with all sense objects with a happy, wholesome mind and is imbued with mundane nibbana would ultimately come to the final realization of supra-mundane nibbana (lokuttara nibbana). Afterlife would become a happy existence for one who leads a happy course of existence (sugati) in this life.

We need meditation to lead a life with happiness. Meditation enables us to deal with all sense objects with happiness. Meditation helps us deal with all worldly sense objects without experiencing any suffering while enjoying nibbanic bliss in the presence of these objects.

Subjecting one’s mind to suffering is an unwholesome deed. Getting rid of mind of suffering is a wholesome deed. One of the mental factors known as “thought” (savitakka) in meditation refers to the process of mind getting rid of these unwholesome mental states. “Sustained thought” (savicara) is to maintain these wholesome mental states in the mind. Piti (rapture) is the pleasure derived from maintaining these wholesome mental states in the mind. Sukha (joy) is pervading of the pleasure throughout the mind and body. Ekaggata (one-pointedness) is the culmination of the development of mind based on the convergence of mental factors savitakka, savicara, piti and sukha.

Success of meditation depends on the capability of mind to maintain the wholesome state developed through meditation in the face of worldly objects such as visual forms, sounds, odours, tastes, and tactile sensations. When one is at this juncture, Nibbana is attainable in this lifetime; present life itself becomes a happy course of existence.

Answer 3

Is this second instance what one should aim for in meditation?

Yes.

Verbalisation and commentary is Pannatti. This is something one should avoid in meditation.

Answer 4

My conviction is that it depends on what you are trying to do. For the aimless development i favor verbalization & thinking in general and if i have the goal of calming i favor a more passive approach. I've had successful absorbtion being preceeded by noting, therefore i don't worry about noting being bad but i've also come to see the value of developing the calm as well in times of restlessness.

Some people like Leigh Brasington favor the passive approach for the arising of pleasure, lights and forms. There should in general be no doubt that not noting is reported to work by many and is possibly better for the attainment directed at tranquilizing of the breath. If one directs mind to a theme countering a hindrance then one is thinking as well until calmed and withdrawing from the theme when hindrances are supressed and one can further just be mindful without not thinking.

I personally think both methods can be used to achieve the 1st absorbtion but if one is too active and is going from one theme to another it will probably hinder absorbtion.