..續本文上一頁y, it”s all the same. Once expert in entering and withdrawing from meditation it all seems easily and swiftly accomplished. The hindrances no longer come into the picture at all.
There are some people though who find it difficult to concentrate their minds. No matter how they try, the mind always seems to wander away. They should keep mindfulness on the mind”s trail until it tires. It really can”t escape for it is stuck on thinking about money or a car, or a house, or the children or grandchildren and near friends. As soon as it fastens onto some such object, mindfulness and discernment must follow and catch it there. Interrogate it immediately about its possessiveness; "Why be so grasping and attached to this (for example) house
Is it even yours
" The answer will come back, "certainly, it”s mine." Mindfulness and wisdom must then probe and examine the mind with, "Then when you die will you take it with you
" If it should admit the impossibility of that, then follow up with, "Then why be so preoccupied with it; it”s solidly built and isn”t going to run away." The mind must be reprimanded and when necessary brought to order by intimidation. Such threats will leave the mind baffled and dazed and it can then be led back to the meditation object, concentrating on the breathing. This is the way of wisdom developing samadhi, for those who find concentration difficult. It means using the right and most appropriate tactic, the best skilful means that accords with the situation.
Once the mind is together with the meditation object it is time to curb and restrain it there. Sustain it without allowing it to break away. On occasion though, the mind will also deserve approval and praise. For instance the wish to go and meditate arise even in the midst of unfinished work. Try to nourish that intention by speedily tying up any work which left undone might remain a cause of uneasiness. However as no task is ever complete settled, as soon as the right pause or lull appears rewards the mind”s desire by quickly going away. Take the break sitting samadhi in your room or think of a way to get away, like escaping via the bathroom. For it”s when the mind wants to concentrate that the calm and tranquillity will develop with special facility, backed by the full force of faith. Any preoccupation will automatically be cut aside.
The stilled mind brings happiness without any drawbacks or anxieties. It is content in itself. It”s as if one likes the climate and atmosphere of some cave, forest or shady spot. The cool breeze blows and one feels relaxed and quickly becomes at ease. So the praise worthy state of mind wishing to meditate must be encouraged to do so. If at night time the mind is very tranquil then continue on with the practice until midnight. And if it still progresses then don”t quit but develop it further to perfect serenity. It will deepen and establish itself more and more firmly, on a more and more profound level. Don”t stop now. This is the time when you”ll recognize how far your meditation has developed.
With this accomplishment you can now go to bed. After offering respect to the Lord Buddha lie down and recollect the steps you have taken to tranquillity and sleep together with that. On awakening the mind will immediate go to the meditation object and that level of samadhi. I myself practice in this way. The mind will automatically be drawn and concentrated deeper and deeper at the place it knows. With constant development and with genuine samadhi there will absolutely no dreaming during sleep. Once awake again the mind knows its duty and this is what we call mindfulness and clear comprehension. They are there to unremitting uphold and care for the heart.
You have to understand about the trained mind. When it needs to be chided, y…
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