Mindfulness of Breathing by Bhikkhu Analayo

Author:Bhikkhu Analayo
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Windhorse Publications
Published: 2019-09-23T16:00:00+00:00

The above presentation is only meant to depict a possible mode of practice and not to restrict a cultivation of the awakening factors to the last step of each tetrad only; in fact the same can be done with each step. This is particularly the case for the insight perspectives in the last tetrad on contemplation of dharmas, each of which can be taken up on its own for a sustained cultivation of the awakening factors.

BALANCING THE AWAKENING FACTORS

Once the awakening factors have been established, they need to be balanced with each other (Anālayo 2013b: 201–205). Mindfulness serves as a foundation that is required throughout. Based on mindfulness being well established, the more energetic awakening factors of investigation-of-dharmas, energy, and joy need to be brought into harmonious balance with the more calming awakening factors of concentration, tranquillity, and equipoise. Mindfulness monitors this balance of the awakening factors.

The monitoring function of mindfulness is relevant for the entire scheme of practice; in fact it is even needed if we head for absorption attainment with “liberating the mind”, the last step of the third tetrad on contemplation of the mind. Here mindfulness takes the role of supervising the presence and continuity of the absorption factors and their balanced cooperation to bring about and maintain the actual experience of absorption.

Balancing the awakening factors while practising different steps of mindfulness of breathing (or alongside other types of meditation practices) is a bit like driving a car with manual transmission in a town. Most of our attention is on what is happening outside – we keep in mind the direction we want to go in and continue to observe the condition of the traffic. But part of our attention is also on the car itself, so that we notice when we need to change gears. This awareness of how the engine is doing in relation to the overall traffic situation is similar to the awareness of how the mind is doing in relation to the overall situation of our meditation practice. Just as we keep noting if we need to change gear in order to drive smoothly, so we keep noting which of these awakening factors needs to be strengthened so that our practice continues smoothly.

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