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To progress above the sotapanna stage is formal meditation really required?
If we just do Anapanasati (24×7) is that enough?
I read posts, contemplate them, watch dhamma talks, contemplate them and I try to be mindful as long as I could (Anapanasati). Is this enough??
I have started to feel much calmer than before with reduced sensuality, but I want to progress as fast as I could. Is there something else that I should also do as a lay?
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Yes. That is good; be mindful all the time!
There is another aspect that will help a lot with reducing cravings.
- We have a “distorted saññā” that worldly things (tasty food, attractive things, and attractive people) have such “mind-pleasing inherent qualities.” But the Buddha taught that it is a “made-up perception” by our minds.
- That understanding will help tremendously with controlling cravings.
- It is a good idea for everyone to read the post, “Sotapanna Stage and Distorted/Defiled Saññā” and the background material for it pointed out in the last bullet below. The subsequent post “Pabhassara Citta and Saññā Vipallāsa” was a continuation of that discussion. These are the only two posts so far in the new section “Sotapanna Stage via Understanding Perception (Saññā).“
- In the next post, I will discuss the “Mūlapariyāya Sutta,” which describes the main reason for this “distorted saññā“ or delusion to arise in our minds. I touched on it in the post “Saññā Vipallāsa – Distorted Perception.”
- To start from the beginning of the discussion, the sequence of posts to be read is in the section “Is There a “Self”?” The first three subsections provide the necessary background. Take notes as you proceed. After that, I started the current series of posts in “Sotapanna Stage via Understanding Perception (Saññā),” where I will continue the discussion.
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There is no way to actually do it faster than you are naturally conditioned to progress on the Path. Imagine bodybuilding, it depends on your genetic makeup how much/big and how fast you will grow, it’s the same with Dhamma – having living Buddha would be relative to having “steroids” as Buddha could progress the Path for you by explaining what you need to know and in what context so you can realize Nibbana faster.
Also Dhamma Path is not progressive as you would think of, it takes much more for person as you need to develop your own way of understanding Dhamma or should I say “in your own way” to understand it. Anapanasati etc. are good but it takes much more then that so if you “want” to progress faster do not look of way to do it “faster” as you will develop unwholesme mind, you need to look for right inputs for your mind that can give you insight – and asking, talking with Ariyas, listening to the discourses are one way to do it and developing meditation so mind can see more clearly is another
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Yes. Quite true.
- As we dive deeper into Buddha’s teachings, a solid background becomes necessary. Without a proper background, it will be an exercise of just reciting some words.
- To get an idea of that, please read the English translation of the “Mūlapariyāya Sutta (MN1)” in that link, where the translator substituted each Pali word with an English word. Can anyone understand what the English translation says?
- Many Pali words CANNOT be translated directly into ANY language. We must understand the MEANING of such Pali words and use those Pali words even in English translations.
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I’d like to share with everyone how I practice formal metta, karuna, muditta, upekkha meditation.
Samsara can be described as a process of alternating between virtuous and vicious cycles.
First, I extend metta to beings trapped in vicious cycles and experiencing suffering.
Most beings fall into this category, as sabbe sankhara anicca.
Next, I extend karuna to those beings caught in vicious cycles who are trying to move towards virtuous cycles.
Despite their bad habits, they strive to do good, but these bad habits continue to pull them down.
I hope they won’t be too harsh on themselves.
Then, I think of beings in virtuous cycles and rejoice in their good qualities.
I believe this is mudita meditation.
Lastly, I try to understand that both vicious and virtuous cycles are under the law of nature.
This brings calmness to my mind. I believe this is upekkha meditation.
Could you please let me know if I’m practicing correctly and if there are any areas I should review? Thank you.
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You may be able to get some ideas by reading the following post:
“5. Ariya Metta Bhāvana (Loving Kindness Meditation).”
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In my opinion, in metta bhava meditation, we truly understand the meaning of the words we chant in our minds, understand tilakkhana itself and the dangers in this world, not only pity seeing beings suffer, we even pity seeing beings who aspire to seek heaven.
By understanding the dangers of being reborn in samsara, we understand. Until disgust arises, then disgust eliminates kamaraga and pathiga.
As Mr. LaL wrote, meta bhava if developed to a certain extent can penetrate magga/phala anagami.
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