Continuity in Daily Life

[convivium]

Do most modern teachers, particularly in western cultures, find it practical or advisable to practice samatha throughout the day? If so, how does one keep from being affected by other people and the environment (in addition to keeping a secluded practice)? If not, why not? Do you find yourself able to react and listen well enough to be an effective, normally functioning person, while doing samatha in daily life?

[cooran]

Hello convivium,

This might be a starter to any conversation:

Practical Advice for Meditators Bikkhu Khantipalo - Daily Life
http://www.budsas.org/ebud/ebmed007.htm#33

One or two posters in this thread from another forum claim they be able to do this:
Can you do samatha meditation while working in office?
http://www.vipassanaforum.net/forum/ind ... 408.0.html

with metta
Chris

[theY]

10. Four Arakkhakammatthana - protective meditation:

Buddhanussati: contemplation of purity and sanctity of the Buddha assistance given by him to all men.

Metta: exudes a sense of camaraderie and desires that all beings can live happily without exception.

Asubha: ponder bodies belong to themselves and others, that they are basically disgusting.

Maranasati: contemplating death and that death can come at any time.

Four kammatthana should always be developed within each of us.

From: Vinaya Atthakathaa, Satipatthaanna Tiikaa, Visuddhimagga, Buddhasaasn Dictionary by P.A. Payutto--this line is my reference note, isn't origin because P.A. Payutto has change his reference in this message many years ago.

http://translate.google.co.th/translate ... k-empat%2F

Edit: Change language. thank you, bodom.

[bodom]

*Moderator Note*

When posting anything in pali please be sure to post the english translation as well as not all our members are fluent in pali. Thank you for your consideration.

[bodom]

Samatha meditation is not only sitting with eyes closed for a period of time. Samadhi can and should be practiced in all postures and the suttas attest to this. AN 5.29 speaks of the long lasting benefits of samadhi developed through walking meditation and AN 4.41 of the development of concentration through observing the arising and passing of the five aggregates.

As Ajahn Chah said, “If your peace rests on the meditation mat, when you leave the mat you leave your peace behind.”

[bodom]

Also from Ajahn Chah:

It isn't that you only practise meditation in the sitting posture - samadhi means the mind which is firm and unwavering. As you go about your daily life, make the mind firm and steady and maintain this sense of steadiness as the object of mind at all times. You must be practising sati and sampajañña (all round knowing) continuously. After you get up from the formal sitting practice and go about your business - walking, riding in cars and so on - whenever your eyes see a form or your ears hear a sound, maintain awareness. As you experience mind-objects which give rise to liking and disliking, try to consistently maintain awareness of the fact that such mental states are impermanent and uncertain. In this way the mind will remain calm and in a state of 'normality'.

http://www.ajahnchah.org/book/Evening_Sitting.php

[convivium]

Thank you!

[Alex123]

I believe that it is important to take meditation into daily life.
Don't leave it at the cushion.
Practice developing awareness in whatever posture or circumstances you are in and try to not react to negative or useless mental states.
Don't prolong bad thoughts or try to destroy them, don't act out on them.
This is lifetime of practice right here.