Some meditators who are not familiar with the Mahasi method report having difficulty observing the abdominal movements.
Actually, the movement of the abdomen is a large object compared to the tip of the nostril. If we relax and breath from the diaphragm and not the chest, the abdominal movement will be clear. It is a physical manifestation of the element of motion that is to be felt rather than merely noted or observed.
If it is not clear initially, take just one deep breath or hold the breath for a few seconds, then breathe normally.
As concentration develops, the abdominal movement becomes more distinct, whereas the breath at the nostrils becomes more subtle.
The abdominal movement is just one object among many that should be observed. Pay attention to the sitting posture and touching sensations too — this will help to ground your awareness in the body.
Always precede a session of sitting meditation with one of walking meditation. In walking meditation there are many objects to note, and it is difficult to walk really slowly if the mind is wandering. Walking very slowly and paying attention to the details movements of the feet will quickly dispel any wandering thoughts.
When you go to sit after at least twenty or thirty minutes of walking meditation, the fog of thoughts that obscures the abdominal movements will have disappeared.
Walking meditation is in no way inferior to sitting. It was with the support of intensive walking meditation that Venerable Ānanda attained to Arahantship in the early morning after walking for the entire night.
Venerable Moggallāna practised walking meditation relentlessly for seven days from the time of his ordination before taking up sitting practice. Due to the powerful mindfulness cultivated during walking practice he was able to attain Arahantship in a short time after being admonished by the Buddha.
Mindfulness of respiration or the touch of the breath can be useful at times when the mind is very wild and distracted, or tired and confused. However, if the mind is calm and serene you should have no difficulty focusing on the abdominal movements — as long as you patiently note the wandering thoughts and other secondary objects they will gradually fade away and the abdominal movements will be clear.
Watching the Abdominal Movements
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Watching the Abdominal Movements
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Re: Watching the Abdominal Movements
Hi Bhante,Bhikkhu Pesala wrote: Venerable Moggallāna practised walking meditation relentlessly for seven days from the time of his ordination before taking up sitting practice. Due to the powerful mindfulness cultivated during walking practice he was able to attain Arahantship in a short time after being admonished by the Buddha.
Mindfulness of respiration or the touch of the breath can be useful at times when the mind is very wild and distracted, or tired and confused. However, if the mind is calm and serene you should have no difficulty focusing on the abdominal movements — as long as you patiently note the wandering thoughts and other secondary objects they will gradually fade away and the abdominal movements will be clear.
Thank you for this teaching and reminder on this meditation practice. And it could not come at a better time as I work on my upekkha with some of the posts about music in other sub-forums.
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Re: Watching the Abdominal Movements
Bhante, thank you so much for answering my questions
"Once you understand anatta, then the burden of life is gone. You’ll be at peace with the world. When we see beyond self, we no longer cling to happiness and we can truly be happy."
- Ajahn Chah
- Ajahn Chah
Re: Watching the Abdominal Movements
Thank you Bhante for your efforts here.
Your contributions are greatly appreciated.
Metta
Ben
Your contributions are greatly appreciated.
Metta
Ben
“No lists of things to be done. The day providential to itself. The hour. There is no later. This is later. All things of grace and beauty such that one holds them to one's heart have a common provenance in pain. Their birth in grief and ashes.”
- Cormac McCarthy, The Road
Learn this from the waters:
in mountain clefts and chasms,
loud gush the streamlets,
but great rivers flow silently.
- Sutta Nipata 3.725
Compassionate Hands Foundation (Buddhist aid in Myanmar) • Buddhist Global Relief • UNHCR
e: [email protected]..
- Cormac McCarthy, The Road
Learn this from the waters:
in mountain clefts and chasms,
loud gush the streamlets,
but great rivers flow silently.
- Sutta Nipata 3.725
Compassionate Hands Foundation (Buddhist aid in Myanmar) • Buddhist Global Relief • UNHCR
e: [email protected]..
Re: Watching the Abdominal Movements
Thank you very much Bhante!
Lately I have been neglecting walking meditation, thanks for the reminder of how useful it is.
With Metta,
Guy
Lately I have been neglecting walking meditation, thanks for the reminder of how useful it is.
With Metta,
Guy
Four types of letting go:
1) Giving; expecting nothing back in return
2) Throwing things away
3) Contentment; wanting to be here, not wanting to be anywhere else
4) "Teflon Mind"; having a mind which doesn't accumulate things
- Ajahn Brahm
1) Giving; expecting nothing back in return
2) Throwing things away
3) Contentment; wanting to be here, not wanting to be anywhere else
4) "Teflon Mind"; having a mind which doesn't accumulate things
- Ajahn Brahm
Re: Watching the Abdominal Movements
Sādhu, Sādhu, Sādhu.
"For a disciple who has conviction in the Teacher's message & lives to penetrate it, what accords with the Dhamma is this:
'The Blessed One is the Teacher, I am a disciple. He is the one who knows, not I." - MN. 70 Kitagiri Sutta
Path Press - Ñāṇavīra Thera Dhamma Page - Ajahn Nyanamoli's Dhamma talks
'The Blessed One is the Teacher, I am a disciple. He is the one who knows, not I." - MN. 70 Kitagiri Sutta
Path Press - Ñāṇavīra Thera Dhamma Page - Ajahn Nyanamoli's Dhamma talks