Friends:
What is the Concentration Link to Awakening?
Fixed Focus is the characteristic
of the Concentration Link to Awakening
(Samādhi-Sambojjhanga). Ceasing of distraction, disturbance,
diversion,
agitation, mental instability and wavering is the purpose of the
quality of
Concentration (Samādhi). Incisive certainty is the manifestation of the
Concentration Link to Awakening. This stability enables breakthrough
to Understanding! Some concentration is present in all consciousness.
Training anchoring of attention on only 1 object condenses this focus.
The proximate cause of
Concentration is Happiness!
The resulting effect of
Concentration is Knowledge & Vision!
Concentration
comes in increasing grades of intensity:
1: Momentary concentration with
few seconds of one-pointedness.
2: Preparatory concentration of
longer yet still unstable quality.
3: Access concentration approaching the 1st jhana absorption.
4: Absorption concentration with fixed mental one-pointedness.
Fourfold is the blessing of
Concentration:
1: Sublime Happiness here & now through the 4 absorptions.
2: Assured Knowledge & True Vision of things as they really are.
3: Awareness & Clear Comprehension of all transient phenomena.
4: Ceasing of all mental
fermentation by absence of clinging. D33
The Buddha once said: What mental
fermentations (āsava) should be
overcome by development? If a Bhikkhu by careful
& rational attention
develops the Concentration Link to Awakening based on seclusion,
based
on disillusion, based on ceasing, culminating in renouncing relinquishment,
then neither can mental fermentation, nor any fever, nor any discontent
ever arise in him. MN2 [i 11]
In one whose body is calm and who
enjoys a pleasurable happiness the
mind becomes concentrated. The
Concentration Link to
Awakening
arises right there. He develops
it, and for him repeatedly meditating
it goes gradually to the culmination of its development. MN118 [iii 85]
Further inspirations on the condensing quality
of
Concentration:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/III/Feeding_Concentration.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/What_is_Right_Concentration.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Requisites_for_Jhana_Absorption.htm
