mikenz66 wrote:Since the point of the suttas is to inform practice, does anyone have further comments on their experience of the relative stability of concentration developed when walking rather than sitting?
Mike
Hi Mike
As it turns out, I developed a new appreciation for walking meditation when I stayed at Ajahn Kalyano's monastery, Bodhivana, a couple of weeks ago. While I now hope to practice it more regularly, in the past, I've only done walking meditation very occasionally, so I don't yet feel confident or competent enough to comment on the quality of concentration that could be developed through walking. What I will say, however, is simply that my experience of walking meditation at this recent retreat has prompted a reconsideration of some of the unacknowledged assumptions - and I would even say, conceits - I had about formal practice. At the monastery, I also chanced upon and found inspiration in Ajaan Khao Analayo's biography, which is divided intro three sections, each beginning with:
When Ajaan Khao lived in the forests and the
mountains, he got the local villagers to lay out
three different paths for walking meditation. The
first path he used for paying homage to the Lord
Buddha, the second for homage to the Dhamma,
and the third for homage to the Sangha. He
walked caçkama on these three paths at three
different times each day.
As soon as he had finished his morning meal, he
began walking meditation on the Buddha Pūjā.
...
In the early afternoon, he started walking on
the path dedicated to Dhamma Pūjā.
...
In the early evening, he began walking
meditation on the path reserved for Sangha Pūjā.
Available here:
http://www.abhayagiri.org/books/venerab ... o-anaalayo" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;