Vivid Awareness: The Mind Instructions of Khenpo Gangshar by Rinpoche Khenchen Thrangu

Author:Rinpoche, Khenchen Thrangu [Rinpoche, Khenchen Thrangu]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Shambhala Publications
Published: 2011-01-11T02:00:00+00:00

TRANQUILITY MEDITATION

In general, meditation instructions often teach both tranquility and insight meditation. Many presentations teach that one should practice tranquility meditation first and insight meditation later. But here we meditate on the two together. We are taught to meditate on the nature of things by looking directly at them. If we can do this, our mind will become peaceful and we will naturally develop tranquility meditation. At the same time, we will also develop the clarity of insight. In this way we do not separate tranquility and insight; we practice them together. But even though Khenpo Gangshar does not teach tranquility meditation explicitly, studying it can help us to develop the stability of our mind, so I think it is helpful to review tranquility meditation.

I have met many people who have received pointing-out instructions. Usually, when we receive pointing-out instructions, there is some sort of feeling or experience that happens. This is good and fine, but it may not be very stable. People who tell me what happened for them when they received the pointing-out instructions often say that they didn’t recognize anything or that they recognized something and had some feeling, but it just dissipated. It changed and was not so helpful in the end. This is why it is important for us to identify both the stability of shamatha and the clarity of insight. Having the certainty that comes from study and reasoning will also help us develop strong meditation. This is why developing some stability through tranquility meditation is helpful.

The Difference between Tranquility and Insight Meditation

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