Insight Meditation: Noting -- Sutta reference?

[Moth]

Is the insight practice of noting (i.e when sitting thinking "sitting, sitting, sitting,") ever referenced in the tipitika? I just want to make sure that it not something outside the canonical text before taking it on as a daily practice.

[tiltbillings]

"And further, O bhikkhus, when he is going, a bhikkhu understands: 'I am going'; when he is standing, he understands: 'I am standing'; when he is sitting, he understands: 'I am sitting'; when he is lying down, he understands: 'I am lying down'; or just as his body is disposed so he understands it.

"Thus he lives contemplating the body in the body internally, or he lives contemplating the body in the body externally, or he lives contemplating the body in the body internally and externally. He lives contemplating origination-things in the body, or he lives contemplating dissolution-things in the body, or he lives contemplating origination-and-dissolution-things, in the body. Or indeed his mindfulness is established with the thought: 'The body exists,' to the extent necessary just for knowledge and remembrance, and he lives independent and clings to naught in the world." Thus, also, O bhikkhus, a bhikkhu lives contemplating the body in the body."

The Four Kinds of Clear Comprehension
"And further, O bhikkhus, a bhikkhu, in going forwards (and) in going backwards, is a person practicing clear comprehension; in looking straight on (and) in looking away from the front, is a person practicing clear comprehension; in bending and in stretching, is a person practicing clear comprehension; in wearing the shoulder-cloak, the (other two) robes (and) the bowl, is a person practicing clear comprehension; in regard to what is eaten, drunk, chewed and savored, is a person practicing clear comprehension; in defecating and in urinating, is a person practicing clear comprehension; in walking, in standing (in a place), in sitting (in some position), in sleeping, in waking, in speaking and in keeping silence, is a person practicing clear comprehension. -- MN 10

This where the idea of noting comes from. Noting is a tool that helps cultivate concentration and mindfulness. It is just that, a tool to be used, but not to be clung to. It is a very useful tool, but if you do not like the idea of it, don't do it. What sort of reading have you on this sort of practice? There are good books out there that explain it quite well. And I am sure other members here can help you with that.

[daverupa]

"O monks, mindfully and clearly comprehending should a monk spend his time! This is my injunction to you!

"And how, O monks, is a monk mindful? He dwells practicing body-contemplation on the body, ardent, clearly comprehending and mindful, having overcome covetousness and grief concerning the world. He dwells practicing feeling-contemplation on feelings, ardent, clearly comprehending and mindful, having overcome covetousness and grief concerning the world. He dwells practicing mind-contemplation on the mind, having overcome covetousness and grief concerning the world. He dwells practicing mind-object-contemplation on mind-objects, having overcome covetousness and grief concerning the world. So, monks, is a monk mindful.

"And how, O monks, is a monk clearly comprehending? He applies clear comprehension in going forward and going back; in looking straight on and in looking elsewhere; in bending and in stretching (his limbs); in wearing the robes and carrying the alms bowl; in eating, drinking, chewing and savoring; in obeying the calls of nature; in walking, standing sitting, falling asleep, waking, speaking and being silent — in all that he applies clear comprehension. So, monks, is a monk clearly comprehending.

The two work well in tandem.

[Moth]

I am using the book 'The Seven Stages of Purification' by Ven Matara Sri Nanarama (http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/bm7insight.pdf). I was drawn to it because it was written by Ven. Nanananda Thera's teacher.

[tiltbillings]

I am using the book 'The Seven Stages of Purification' by Ven Matara Sri Nanarama (http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/bm7insight.pdf). I was drawn to it because it was written by Ven. Nanananda Thera's teacher.

You might find Ven Nyanaponika's HEART OF BUDDHIST MEDITATION of interest, as well.

Since Ven Nanananda practices and teaches this type of meditation in the context of what he teaches in terms of Dhamma, it is an excellent combination for both practice and study.

[Moth]

I will check out Ven Nyanaponika's book. Thank you for your assistance

[tiltbillings]

I am using the book 'The Seven Stages of Purification' by Ven Matara Sri Nanarama (http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/bm7insight.pdf). I was drawn to it because it was written by Ven. Nanananda Thera's teacher.

Let me suggest that in addition to this book a couple of others by a very good, experienced meditation teacher:
Insight Meditation: The Practice of Freedom by Joseph Goldstein
Seeking the Heart of Wisdom: The Path of Insight Meditation by Joseph Goldstein, Jack Kornfield
Experience of Insight by Joseph Goldstein.

These can be gotten quite cheaply used.

Also, http://www.dharmaseed.org/ for talks by a wide variety of teachers, including Joseph Goldstein:

http://www.dharmaseed.org/teacher/96/