Tag: samatha

Samatha (or ???) Vipassana

The question whether to practise samatha or vipassana comes up again and again.  In the early days of the Burmese Vipassana movement long debates were waged on which approach would be the correct one (samatha || vipassana, that is). This question…

Reflecting on the Jhana Factors

If you drive back from a peaceful mountain region to the busy town you can reflect on all the milestones and passing sights either while you drive or when you are back home. Now of course watching the scenery while…

Vitakka & Vicara – What do they mean?

Or: How do i find my way to the first jhana? Let’s say your meditation topic is Anapanasati (remembering the breath). So you would concentrate on breathing. If that is all you do, very soon, you would find yourself lost…

The 4 Jhana

A Howto: Go to a secluded place Close eyes take up a meditation topic and concentrate, for example on breathing in and out. Repeat ONE thought bringing back the mind and trying to “establish” it on this one topic implied…