Continuity in Daily Life

The cultivation of calm or tranquility and the development of concentration
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convivium
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Continuity in Daily Life

Post by 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?
Just keep breathing in and out like this. Don't be interested in anything else. It doesn't matter even if someone is standing on their head with their ass in the air. Don't pay it any attention. Just stay with the in-breath and the out-breath. Concentrate your awareness on the breath. Just keep doing it. http://www.ajahnchah.org/book/Just_Do_It_1_2.php
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cooran
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Re: Continuity in Daily Life

Post by 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" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

with metta
Chris
---The trouble is that you think you have time---
---Worry is the Interest, paid in advance, on a debt you may never owe---
---It's not what happens to you in life that is important ~ it's what you do with it ---
theY
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Re: Continuity in Daily Life

Post by 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" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Edit: Change language. thank you, bodom.
Last edited by theY on Sun Oct 07, 2012 12:37 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Above message maybe out of date. Latest update will be in massage's link.
--------------------------------------------------
Tipitaka memorization is a rule of monks. It isn't just a choice. They must done it.
bahussuto nāma tividho hoti – nissayamuccanako, parisupaṭṭhāpako, bhikkhunovādakoti.
http://UnmixedTheravada.blogspot.com/20 ... monks.html
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bodom
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Re: Continuity in Daily Life

Post by 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.


:anjali:
Liberation is the inevitable fruit of the path and is bound to blossom forth when there is steady and persistent practice. The only requirements for reaching the final goal are two: to start and to continue. If these requirements are met there is no doubt the goal will be attained. This is the Dhamma, the undeviating law.

- BB
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bodom
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Re: Continuity in Daily Life

Post by 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.”

:anjali:
Liberation is the inevitable fruit of the path and is bound to blossom forth when there is steady and persistent practice. The only requirements for reaching the final goal are two: to start and to continue. If these requirements are met there is no doubt the goal will be attained. This is the Dhamma, the undeviating law.

- BB
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bodom
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Re: Continuity in Daily Life

Post by 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" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

:anjali:
Liberation is the inevitable fruit of the path and is bound to blossom forth when there is steady and persistent practice. The only requirements for reaching the final goal are two: to start and to continue. If these requirements are met there is no doubt the goal will be attained. This is the Dhamma, the undeviating law.

- BB
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convivium
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Re: Continuity in Daily Life

Post by convivium »

Thank you!
Just keep breathing in and out like this. Don't be interested in anything else. It doesn't matter even if someone is standing on their head with their ass in the air. Don't pay it any attention. Just stay with the in-breath and the out-breath. Concentrate your awareness on the breath. Just keep doing it. http://www.ajahnchah.org/book/Just_Do_It_1_2.php
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Alex123
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Re: Continuity in Daily Life

Post by 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.
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