Meditative concentration

Meditative concentration

Meditative concentration, also known as meditative contemplation, is the clearly-discerning concentration of ordinary beings and the concept-free samadhi of intrinsic reality. Ordinary concentration is that of those who are attached to the experience of clarity, bliss, and absence of thought when they meditate. Clearly-discerning concentration occurs when the practitioner is no longer attached to meditative experiences, but still clings to emptiness as an antidote. The concept-free samadhi of intrinsic reality arises when one is free from clinging to emptiness as an antidote and one abides in the meditative equipoise of non-discriminating dharmata.

Without meditative training, the mind is in a state of distraction and is thus hard to control. If the mind is not pacified, it will not be able to enter into high levels of wisdom awareness. So in order to realise the nature of the mind, we need first training in concentration. This is the purpose of practising calm abiding (samatha). The meditative concentration of the Theravada and Mahayana traditions have much in common and only differ in terms of motivation. Due to the lack of profound compassion, a Theravada practitioner will not be able to perform the perfect conduct of Bodhisattvas, therefore he or she cannot attain perfect Buddhahood. A Mahayana practitioner, through Bodhicitta, abides in the meditative equipoise that is free from the dualism of subject and object, and transcends all conceptualisation.  Without abandoning the aspiration of benefitting others, he or she works extensively for the sake of other beings. This is the foundation of perfect Buddhahood.

This chapter is part of: Introduction Course - Part 2: Bodhichitta