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Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Mindfulness and Concentration: Establishing Mindfulness of Body and the First Jhāna

 

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RIGHT MINDFULNESS Establishing Mindfulness of Body A person goes to the forest or to the root of a tree or to an empty place and sits down. Having crossed the legs, one sets the body erect. One establishes the presence of mindfulness. (MN 10) One is aware: "Ardent, fully aware, mindful, I am content." (SN 47.10)   When walking, one is aware: "I am walking."… One is just aware, just mindful: "There is a body." And one abides not clinging to anything in the world. (MN 10)

Reflection As we gain the ability to be mindful of the body while breathing in and out, experiencing the entire body and stilling its activities, it becomes natural to extend this capacity for awareness to other normal activities. One of these is walking, and the point is not to get somewhere but to be entirely attentive to what it feels like to walk. Every step is an exercise in non-attachment, in not clinging to anything in the world. Daily Practice Spend some time in formal walking meditation. You can go for a walk and practice heightened awareness to the experience, but in formal walking meditation you walk slowly back and forth for 10 or 15 paces in each direction. This frees you from any concern about navigation, obstacles, or distractions, allowing the mind to focus entirely on the flow of physical sensations that come with slowly lifting, moving, and placing the foot with each step. RIGHT CONCENTRATION Approaching and Abiding in the First Phase of Absorption (1st Jhāna) Having abandoned the five hindrances, imperfections of the mind that weaken wisdom, quite secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unwholesome states, one enters and abides in the first phase of absorption, which is accompanied by applied thought and sustained thought, with joy and the pleasure born of seclusion. (MN 4) When one sees oneself purified of all these unhealthy states and thus liberated from them, gladness is born. When one is glad, joy is born; in one who is joyful, the body becomes tranquil; one whose body is tranquil feels pleasure; in one who feels pleasure, the mind becomes concentrated. (MN 40) Reflection The English word concentration conjures up a sense of deliberate effort, wherein you force yourself to pay attention or to concentrate. While the appropriate application of energy is required, the Buddhist texts talk about concentration as something you relax into naturally, rather than something you force yourself to do through discipline. This sets a very different tone, and makes the practice of concentration more appealing. Daily Practice We are used to noticing when we are vexed or afflicted in some way, and are less likely to notice when we are free from distress and feeling good. Try to reverse this today, and notice the times when the mind is free, if only for a moment, from any uncomfortable mental or emotional states. In short, feel good about feeling good when you feel good, and allow yourself to be glad when the mind is clear. Tomorrow: Understanding the Noble Truth of the Origin of Suffering One week from today:  Establishing Mindfulness of Feeling and Abiding in the Second Jhāna Share your thoughts and join the conversation on social media #DhammaWheel Questions? Visit the Dhamma Wheel orientation page.

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Via Daily Dharma: Self-Acceptance as Love

 

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Self-Acceptance as Love The truth is, everybody is not going to love you or accept you. You have to have enough love and acceptance for yourself. And when you keep building on just that, acceptance overflows and spills onto those who deserve it and those who don’t. Venerable Pannavati, “Encourage Others by Overcoming Your Own Suffering” CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE

Weaving Wire By Haley Barker Experience the life and art of the late Japanese American artist Ruth Asawa.  Read more » The Dalai Lama’s Gift: A Film Q&A and Exploration of the Kalachakra Tantra  Sunday, March 23 at 8 a.m. PT / 11 a.m. ET Join us today at 8 a.m. PT / 11 a.m. ET for a live conversation with Ed Bastian, director of The Dalai Lama’s Gift, and scholars José Ignacio Cabezón, Roger R. Jackson, and Vesna A. Wallace. This expert panel will delve into the Kalachakra, a rare ritual considered among the highest of the Buddhist tantric teachings. This event is part of the 2025 Tricycle Film Festival, streaming online until March 27, 2025. Sign up now to access the films and join the live event! Sign up »

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At the start of awakening it is very exciting and it feels like you can get enlightened in just a few weeks. But I have stopped counting and have become very patient; for the process of transformation is much subtler than I thought it was and much more profound.

Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Effort: Restraining Unarisen Unhealthy States

 

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RIGHT EFFORT Restraining Unarisen Unhealthy States Whatever a person frequently thinks about and ponders, that will become the inclination of their mind. If one frequently thinks about and ponders unhealthy states, one has abandoned healthy states to cultivate unhealthy states, and then one’s mind inclines to unhealthy states. (MN 19) Here a person rouses the will, makes an effort, stirs up energy, exerts the mind, and strives to restrain the arising of unarisen unhealthy mental states. One restrains the arising of the unarisen hindrance of doubt. (MN 141)

Reflection The fifth of the five hindrances is doubt. This is not the healthy skepticism that encourages us to think for ourselves and not take anything on hearsay. It is the debilitating doubt wherein we are unsure of ourselves and unclear about whether the practice we are doing is well taught or we are practicing it correctly. These sorts of doubts hinder our progress and are better replaced by their opposite, trust and confidence. Daily Practice See if you can give some attention to the quality of mind that presents itself when you are doubtful about something and, alternatively, when you are trusting of something. The point is not so much whether the doubt or trust is justified or not, or right or wrong, but rather the effect such attitudes have on the workings of consciousness. Self-doubt in particular undermines the mind, while confidence promotes energy. Tomorrow: Establishing Mindfulness of Body and Abiding in the First Jhāna One week from today: Abandoning Arisen Unhealthy States Share your thoughts and join the conversation on social media #DhammaWheel Questions? Visit the Dhamma Wheel orientation page.

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March 22, 2025 Nothing Exists Independently When the Buddha attained enlightenment, he gained insight into his past lives. Later that night, he realized that all beings undergo rebirth according to their kamma, or karma. Finally, he discovered the path to ending this cycle of suffering. These three insights form the foundation of dependent origination. In our latest Dharma Talk, Bhante Henepola Gunaratana—beloved teacher and author of Dependent Origination in Plain English—dives into this profound teaching. Drawing from decades of study and practice, “Bhante G,” as he’s known worldwide, clarifies common misconceptions and reveals how dependent origination shapes our everyday experience. “Dependent origination explains how kamma works. And, therefore, it is actually the very deepest teachings of the Buddha. It is a real, practical teaching. Pragmatic. Down-to-earth. Therefore, I want to bring it very close to [the] heart and mind." Watch the talk today to learn how to bring the teachings of dependent origination into your life.   Watch the talk »   Also this week: It’s not too late to join the Tricycle Film Festival. Sign up now to join us tomorrow at 11 a.m. ET for a live event with Ed Bastian, director of The Dalai Lama’s Gift.    Our latest episode of Life As It Is features psychologist Mary-Frances O’Connor as she explores the toll that loss takes on our bodies.    Unlock the wisdom of Buddhist teachings and deepen your practice with Tricycle’s online courses. Explore a variety of offerings like Dream Yoga, Korean Buddhist Cooking, and Writing as a Spiritual Practice.  Join us April 22–24 for Tricycle’s Fourth Annual Buddhism and Ecology Summit, a unique opportunity to deepen your connection with the natural world. Hear from Christiana Figueres on personal leadership in times of political and ecological crisis, Larry Ward on embodiment as an environmental ethic, and Paul Hawken in conversation with Peter Coyote—alongside many other insightful speakers. The summit includes live dharma talks, guided practices, and a special screening of Interdependence, an anthology of 11 short films exploring our interconnectedness. Learn more and sign up today » Weaving Wire By Haley Barker Experience the life and art of the late Japanese American artist Ruth Asawa.  Read more » Into a Haunted World Interview with Vajra Chandrasekera by James Shaheen Explore the Buddhist mythos behind a Sri Lankan author’s new book.  Read more » What We’re Reading By the Editors See the latest books Tricycle's editors are enjoying including the Dalai Lama's commentary on awakening and ninety-nine practical tips for easing attachment. Read more » You Have to Get Wet By Les Kaye Zen cannot be understood from the shore—you have to step in and experience it for yourself. Read more » Wisdom Beyond Reason By Pema Düddul Learn how to differentiate between Zen koans, Chan gongans, and Dzogchen pith instructions.  Read more » Nakuul Mehta’s Human Revolution Interview with Nakuul Mehta by Priyanka Aidasani In this piece, “your mother’s favorite TV STAR” reflects on overcoming obstacles, the power of prayer, and the teachings of Nichiren Buddhism. Read more »