Thank you very much for sharing this video. I wanted to share a couple of things from what I've learned so far from the Dhamma regarding some of the questions raised. In terms of the first question about how can we do mindfulness from Jhana, it is important to note that there are two main types of meditation in Buddhism: Samatha (developing concentration or one-pointedness) and Vidharshana (mindfulness or insight meditation). The Jhana states where the mind is concentrated or united at one point, are mainly achieved through Samatha meditation. Jhana practise is seen in other non-Buddhist meditations as well. Mindfulness is unique to Buddhism and was discovered/developed/taught by The Tathagatha (The Buddha) only. Mindfulness allows us to see how things really are. So, for full understanding of reality or understanding the Four Noble Truths, we need to practise both types of meditation. We need to practise concentrating the mind with Samatha because if the mind is running here and there and not concentrated, then we won't be able to see the Truth (which is achieved through mindfulness meditation). Basically in the beginning you practise them both separately as separate meditations (eg. metta and breathing/anapanasati meditations are Samatha techniques while mindfulness of the five aggregates or the six internal and external sense faculties are mindfulness techniques). Some meditations such as mindfulness of the body have both samatha and vidharshana components. Having familiarity with samatha and having that type of background in the mind will help the mind to concentrate easily when we begin mindfulness meditation. Samatha can be though of as a basic training or disciplining of the mind in preparation for mindfulness. The Tathagatha, before he became enlightened, practised Samatha extensively and reached the highest level with Samatha meditation that can be attained. He learned all the different Samatha techniques available from several different top mediation teachers who were available in India at that time. After reaching the highest possible state with Samatha he realize that it still didn't answer His questions about the fundamental problems of life. So He went on by Himself independently and then used the Mindfulness technique which allowed Him to see the absolute Truth about how things work, how the body works, how the mind works as He became Enlightened and became The Tathagatha. So both meditation types are essential for the practise. Also, there are advance techniques of how you can go from Samatha to Vidharshana or vice versa directly but should not be attempted without the close advice of a meditation teacher because if not done properly it can cause long lasting problems that are difficult to overcome and these techniques are only for advanced practitioners. All in all the most important thing to note is the impermanence of the mind. Even Samadhi states as wonderful they are, are not permanent. The impermanence of the mind is what allows this type of practise as well (going from samatha to vidharshana and vice versa etc). The impermanence of mind is what we try to understand and see directly with mindfulness meditation.
man this video makes me realize how I just need to meditate and stop following the falsities such as searching for videos of other people who intellectualize over concepts thats purpose requires the act of doing it.. I just need to DO IT.
Thank you very much for sharing this video. I wanted to share a couple of things from what I've learned so far from the Dhamma regarding some of the questions raised. In terms of the first question about how can we do mindfulness from Jhana, it is important to note that there are two main types of meditation in Buddhism: Samatha (developing concentration or one-pointedness) and Vidharshana (mindfulness or insight meditation).
The Jhana states where the mind is concentrated or united at one point, are mainly achieved through Samatha meditation. Jhana practise is seen in other non-Buddhist meditations as well. Mindfulness is unique to Buddhism and was discovered/developed/taught by The Tathagatha (The Buddha) only. Mindfulness allows us to see how things really are. So, for full understanding of reality or understanding the Four Noble Truths, we need to practise both types of meditation. We need to practise concentrating the mind with Samatha because if the mind is running here and there and not concentrated, then we won't be able to see the Truth (which is achieved through mindfulness meditation).
Basically in the beginning you practise them both separately as separate meditations (eg. metta and breathing/anapanasati meditations are Samatha techniques while mindfulness of the five aggregates or the six internal and external sense faculties are mindfulness techniques). Some meditations such as mindfulness of the body have both samatha and vidharshana components.
Having familiarity with samatha and having that type of background in the mind will help the mind to concentrate easily when we begin mindfulness meditation. Samatha can be though of as a basic training or disciplining of the mind in preparation for mindfulness. The Tathagatha, before he became enlightened, practised Samatha extensively and reached the highest level with Samatha meditation that can be attained. He learned all the different Samatha techniques available from several different top mediation teachers who were available in India at that time. After reaching the highest possible state with Samatha he realize that it still didn't answer His questions about the fundamental problems of life. So He went on by Himself independently and then used the Mindfulness technique which allowed Him to see the absolute Truth about how things work, how the body works, how the mind works as He became Enlightened and became The Tathagatha.
So both meditation types are essential for the practise. Also, there are advance techniques of how you can go from Samatha to Vidharshana or vice versa directly but should not be attempted without the close advice of a meditation teacher because if not done properly it can cause long lasting problems that are difficult to overcome and these techniques are only for advanced practitioners.
All in all the most important thing to note is the impermanence of the mind. Even Samadhi states as wonderful they are, are not permanent. The impermanence of the mind is what allows this type of practise as well (going from samatha to vidharshana and vice versa etc). The impermanence of mind is what we try to understand and see directly with mindfulness meditation.
man this video makes me realize how I just need to meditate and stop following the falsities such as searching for videos of other people who intellectualize over concepts thats purpose requires the act of doing it.. I just need to DO IT.
This is really gr8. And ive watched a lot of this crap.