[lucas.cambon]

I can not grasp what method do you recommend, which are the specific instructions for formal meditation sessions.
Moreover, What’s your opinion about Goenka’s technique?

[Lal]

I cannot recommend specific meditation techniques, because each person is different and needs to decide on that. General information is at:
“Bhāvanā (Meditation)“.

Regarding the second question, there has been a lengthy discussion at:
“Goenka´s Vipassana”
If you have a question specific to this particular technique, it is better to be asked there.

This topic was in the “General Forum” and I just moved it to this forum, where it should be.

[Ritesh2009]

Lal wrote:

I cannot recommend specific meditation techniques, because each person is different and needs to decide on that. General information is at:
“Bhāvanā (Meditation)“.

Regarding the second question, there has been a lengthy discussion at:
“Goenka´s Vipassana”
If you have a question specific to this particular technique, it is better to be asked there.

This topic was in the “General Forum” and I just moved it to this forum, where it should be.

@ Lal – would you like to share how you go about vipassana bhavana. Because for a beginner like me , some more clarity or some specific methods employed as in examples will help in great effect.  I read post on vipassana- buddhist meditation. you mentioned of two steps. can you please help in explaining how to practice to remove tendency to attach to distorted sanna

Thanks

[Tetsuo]

It’s not really about adopting a particular method. It’s about learning to see things clearly. But clarity cannot arise if a person habitually indulges every impulse that arises. That only keeps the mind intoxicated.

As long as that intoxication remains strong, it’s impossible to recognize the real issue. So the first step is to stop entertaining impulses that would reinforce that intoxication.

As you do this, the mind begins to understand for itself the danger in chasing sensual pleasures and the relief that renunciation provides. At that point, it no longer feels as though you have to coerce the mind into doing something it doesn’t want to do.

By continuing in this way, the mind gradually sobers up. As it does, the effects of distorted sanna begin to weaken. Then you can start to perceive that something doesn’t quite add up — to “see through the magic trick,” so to speak.

From there, the process becomes more intuitive. The problem is already visible at a perceptual level; what remains is to clarify it further and avoid undermining the clearer context that has been established.

1 user thanked author for this post.

Ritesh2009

[Lal]

Yes. I think it is time to write a new post on mediation. I will try to base it on the “Sabbāsava Sutta (MN 2)” because it lays out the key ideas.

Basically, meditation can be divided into three categories:

(i) First, one must engage in contemplation to grasp the key concepts og Buddha’s worldview; this is ‘Dassanā pahātabba‘ or ‘getting rid (pahātabba) of wrong views (Dassanā).’ This is the first section of the sutta on ‘Defilements Given Up by Seeing.’

(ii) Then one must prepare the environment/conditions suitable to engage in ‘Bhāvanā.‘ These are discussed in sections 2 through 6.

(iii) Engage in ‘Bhāvanā‘ (actual meditation)  is discussed in Section 7 (last section) of the sutta.

• I invite all to post comments/suggestions. I can write the post based on those.

_________

P.S. I saw Tetsuo’s comment after I posted my comment. Yes. Those are valid comments. But I think the sutta‘s analysis may help with some ideas.

1 user thanked author for this post.

Ritesh2009

[HugoZyl]

Dear Venerable Lal 🙏🏻

  Concerning your request for suggestions as to meditation article content.

  1. What if a person has been meditating for many years but is not able to get into jhana?

  2. Is just remaining in jhana meditating, in light of that only an arahat has broken the 6th and 7th fetters (basically craving brahmaloka) so even an anagami will have attachment for jhana?

  3. What if a person meditates but fails completely to make any progress, or does not know how to identify progress?

  Thank you.

  Namo Buddhaya 💙

[Lal]

“1. What if a person has been meditating for many years but is not able to get into jhana?”

• It is not necessary to be able to get into a jhana to make progress on the Noble Path and to attain magga phala.
• Jhanas correspond to mental states of Brahmas in various realms of rupa loka. Getting to a jhana is an anatariya kamma (good one) that guarantees one of rebirth in a Brahma realm. So, it is not bad. However, unless that person has attained at least the Sotapanna stage, he/she will return to the human realm at the end of that Brahma existence and can then be reborn in an apaya; i.e., cultivating a jhana does not free one from future rebirths in an apaya.
• Thus, one should focus on attaining the Sotapanna stage rather than jhana. Some people attain jhana even without trying, and that would be a bonus.

” 2. Is just remaining in jhana meditating, in light of that only an arahat has broken the 6th and 7th fetters (basically craving brahmaloka) so even an anagami will have attachment for jhana?”

• Fetters (samyojana) are broken in a stepwise manner. One breaks the first three (sakkaya ditthi, vicikiccha, silabbata paramasa) when one attains the Sotapanna stage. Then they break the kama raga and patigha samyojana to attain the Anagami stage (those two samyojana are only weakened at the Sakadagami stage, which a Sotapanna would attain before the Anagami stage). The 6th and 7th samyojana (rupa raga and arupa raga) can be broken only by an Anagami. An Anagami attains the Arahant stage by eliminating three more samyojana (mana, uddacca, avijja). So, an Arahant has broken not only the 6th and 7th, but all ten samyojana.
• One with any jhana has not broken any samyojana unless they had also attained a magga phala, Sotapanna through the Arahant stage.

” 3. What if a person meditates but fails completely to make any progress, or does not know how to identify progress?”

• This is why it is good to understand the “Sabbāsava Sutta (MN 2)” I referred to in my previous comment. I will try to address that in the post. It may take a couple of weeks to write that post.
• In the meantime, everyone is welcome to read the sutta and ask any questions they would like clarified.

___________

P.S. By the way, one attains the Sotapanna stage by completing step (i) in the sutta (first section of the sutta) that I stated in my previous comment as follows:

(i) First, one must engage in contemplation to grasp the key concepts og Buddha’s worldview; this is ‘Dassanā pahātabba‘ or ‘getting rid (pahātabba) of wrong views (Dassanā).’ This is the first section of the sutta on ‘Defilements Given Up by Seeing.’

[Ritesh2009]

Thank Lal sir and Tetsuo

I can completely relate to the methods mentioned by you both. After coming in contact with puredhamma site. I feel optimistic . I had attended a vipassana session in goenka ji tradition. I wouldnt say that it was completely useless, i was able to let go off my craving for alcohol after that. It pushed me to do more research to find answers to my questions. When one wants to find something they will eventually..

I am now able to observe some very subtle forms of greed, hate and ignorance because i like to contemplate about dhamma concepts and try to observe my thoughts as much as possible . Infact i sleep after reading a post and wake up reading one again :) 

I am now able to atleast recognise when  i am finding myself getting attached /desire to any sensory input. Sharing some examples from my daily life

I love when my teenage daughter spends time with me. I am sure anyone with teenage kids will know how hard it is .But now i am able to recognise my attachment to that feeling (vedana) when she is close to me  but i dont allow my mind to flow in that but be aware of its anicca nature

When i see people , i start observing that there is nothing to actually like about this body. Even while looking at a beautiful woman, i dont forcibly push my eyes away but try to see mindfully that her body is only an aggregation of parts like eyes, nose, ears, hair etc. we all are made of same substance. That male/female would have been my sister/father/mother/daughter in my previous life that actually helps to keep mind sane

I was able to reduce my cravings for good food once i understood food is a fuel nothing more than that . Now i observe my mind and body feelings when feeling like eating a tasty snack even though stomach is full. yes i am not perfect yet at it but atleast better than before :)

What i have understood is that be mindful of your thoughts, intentions as much as possible , look for those subtle ones too and that is meditation

What really astonishes me is the fact that an Arahant just sees in seeing, hears in hearing, etc that means our minds need so so so much of cleaning ( change of habits to attach to sensory inputs) plus absorption of anicca sanna like first nature of mind. That for sure requires loads of work EACH MOMENT. It will be fascinating to know the process behind on how they were able to get in that state of mind

I find myself lucky to find this site and since then have been enjoying my journey

 

[Lal]

Thank you for sharing your experience!

You wrote: “What really astonishes me is the fact that an Arahant just sees in seeing, hears in hearing, etc., that means our minds need so so so much of cleaning ( change of habits to attach to sensory inputs) plus absorption of anicca sanna like first nature of mind. That for sure requires loads of work EACH MOMENT. It will be fascinating to know the process behind how they were able to get in that state of mind.”

• I just summarized how an Arahant gets to that point in the discussion forum.
• Please read the whole thread: “Post on ‘Buddhist Non-Attachment Is Based on Yoniso Manasikāra’.” My last comment, posted today (March 17, 2026), describes how an Arahant reaches that point.
• It is possible that you may not have read my recent posts. The recent posts are listed in “New / Revised Posts.” The current post is supposed to be the default page on puredhamma.net, but some browsers may not show the home page as the default.

[Author]

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