..续本文上一页on for you is: How can samadhi and mindfulness be of help in your studies

　　I will instruct you on how to practise samadhi right in your classrooms. Suppose that, at this moment, I am your teacher in your classroom. Look intently straight at me. Be interested and observe everything I do. When I raise my hand, you know, when I write, you know. Whatever I say, you determine to hear. If you can observe even the slightest movements, sounds, and every blink that occurs, all the better. When you enter the room, gaze straight at the teacher, Put all your attention on him or her. Don”t give your attention to anything else beside the teacher. This is all there is to practise samadhi in the classroom. If you can remember this technique, you can begin practising samadhi right from the time you are in kindergarten.

　　In the beginning it may be difficult for you to control your line of vision and to maintain your attention directly on the teacher, but you must try. Train yourself until you become proficient with this technique and you will find that it will take hold of you and happen on its own. Later on, without even trying, as soon as you see someone pass by, your attention will focus on that image. As soon as your teacher enters the room your attention fixes onto him. Think carefully and deeply on this question; if you concentrate your attention solely on the teacher, will you still be able to take in the lessons

　　After you become adept in this skilful technique you will find that even while your line of vision is on the teacher, your attention is turned inward toward your heart. You are concentrated toward yourself in a profound way. At this point in your development, regardless of what the teacher is saying, as soon as he finishes his sentence your mind will already have moved in advance and will recognize what he is going to say next. So that, when taking an examination, as soon as you finish reading the question, the answer will pop into your mind and you will respond immediately.

　　This is the samadhi technique which has worked well for me.

　　11 What is the benefit of samadhi while studying

　　Sometime ago there was a girl who I sponsored to go to university who was reluctant to continue her studies because she thought her brain wasn”t good enough. I urged her to enter and she agreed. I advised her that she should practise meditation when studying in the university. She said, "If I have to practise meditation, when will I find the time to study

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　　Superficially there seems to be a problem here. I explained that it is possible to practise samadhi in the university without it interfering with one”s studies. I said, "When you are in the classroom, simply concentrate your mind so that mindfulness is present, that is, make the mind aware. Wherever attention is needed, fix the mind right there. For instance, when the professor enters the room, bring your complete attention to the professor. Do not let the mind wander. "

　　She graduated after only 4 years. At first, she thought she would probably need at least 6 years to earn her degree. But, unexpectedly, everything changed. Her initial feelings that she wasn”t clever enough for university changed around until she eventually felt that her mind was quite a good one. She was quite capable of practising samadhi and where there is samadhi there is mindfulness and clear comprehension (sati sampajanna) which support and encourage awareness in the present moment.

　　If a student tries to practise samadhi in this manner, several benefits will result. Feelings of respect, appreciation and gratitude will arise towards the teacher. These feelings will go deep into the heart and a radical change will occur. No longer will one harbour negative feelings for the teacher. Instead, one will hold him or her in hig…

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