The
Blessed Buddha repeatedly emphasized:
Bhikkhus, when one thing is developed and repeatedly practised, then it
leads
to a supreme sense of urgency, to a supreme advantage, to a supreme ceasing
of bondage, to a supreme full awareness and clear comprehension, to winning
knowledge and vision, to a happy life here and now, to realization of the
fruit
of clear vision and releasing deliverance. What is that one unique thing?
It is awareness occupied with the body! Bhikkhus, those who get a taste of
body awareness also get a taste of the deathless! While those who neglect
all
practice of body awareness, cannot get a taste of the deathless! (AN
I 43+45)
A beautiful and attractive self?
Something worth clinging to?
The bhikkhu devoted to body
awareness is a conquers both boredom and delight,
and boredom does not overcome him! He dwells transcending boredom as it
arises.
He is a conqueror of fear and dread, and fear and dread do not conquer him,
since
he dwells transcending fear and dread just as they arise. He is one who
tolerates
cold and heat... who endures any adversity ... arisen bodily feelings that
are painful
... even life threatening (MN III 97)! He
becomes an obtainer of the four jhānas
based on the colour aspect of the head hairs, nails, teeth, skin, organs or
bone etc.
He comes to penetrate the six kinds of direct-knowledge (see
MN Sutta 6).
So let a man, if he is wise,
Untiringly devote his days
To mindfulness of body, which
Rewards him in so many ways.
