8
Meditation Techniques
My goal and motivation is for all people to attain
the Dhammakaya, and for my wish to come true,
I need your help. Can you visualize your mind at
the center of your body at all times? Can you rest
your mind there, even outside of a meditation
session? Cradle it there for minutes, hours, until
it becomes at home in this location. Then when
you sit down for a meditation session, your mind
will already be in its proper place, and you won't
lose precious time trying to adjust it.
Phrathepyanmahamuni
This short saying by Luangpor Dhammajayo is inscribed on a stone plaque in front of the main meditation hall at Panawat Meditation Center in Chiang Mai, Thailand. It is a simple word of inspiration for the practitioners of meditation as they enter the hall that their first step towards happiness is stilling the mind at the center of the body.
Just Enough
Adjusting the body and mind is essential as we begin every meditation session. Use yourself as a natural benchmark as you seek balance. The more you practice meditation, the sooner you will discover where the point of equilibrium resides.
Balance is a feeling of openness, lightness and calm. It is a feeling of joy and peace. Try to maintain this feeling continuously, without worries. Soon, this equilibrium will usher your mind to a standstill inside, and the brightness will appear automatically.
31st March 1992
Indifference
In the Middle Way, the mind must be neutral. You must be indifferent to events, actions, or noise occurring around us. You are neither glad nor sad; you are still and your mind is at rest. By resting, you make progress. Try this and you will see.
27th March 1996
Relaxation & Peacefulness
When you meditate, make yourself comfortable; keep the mind peaceful, calm, and empty of all thoughts. Focus on the center of the body at all times. There's nothing in this world more important than the center of our body.
You ask what is relaxation? Use yourself as a gauge. What were you feeling when you last felt completely relaxed? This is the feeling you want to keep with you for as long as possible. That's the point where you feel most comfortable. But if the body feels any tension, then you're probably doing something incorrectly.
13th April 1992
Relaxed
There's no need to search for comfort. No need to ask, "Is this comfortable or is that comfortable?" Just keep your mind still and calm, and soon the feeling of calm, the vision of the luminous sphere, and the Dhammakaya will emerge.
Stillness will lead you to success. It is a special expressway that will lead to the Dhammakaya inside. It is best not to waste time trying to figure out the right amount of comfort.
Stop searching and just be still, and it will come to you naturally.
23rd July 2002
An Excellent Chef
Still your mind peacefully for as long as possible. Do just that. Don't concern yourself with anything else.
Your mind will adjust to the correct disposition. See yourself as a chef, creating the most delicately seasoned meal. Add nothing too much. Having the proper ingredients is key to success. So too must we condition and prepare ourselves: with the right ingredients for a peaceful mind.
22nd April 2002
Doctor of Dhamma
The trick to keeping your mind still is to practice observation. If you see a crystal sphere, gently guide your concentration to the center of the sphere and soon, you will reach your internal refuge. Meditation students can achieve a graduate degree in the Dhamma! A doctorate degree even!
This differs from a secular degree that requires years of studying, reading, writing, researching, analyzing, and discussing of numerous things. With meditation, you need not do a thing, just be still and observe while using the right technique.
26th January 2002
Keep Your Mind Relaxed
Whether you see darkness or brightness while you meditate, don't stress yourself about it. Keep your mind relaxed, like wearing a comfortable, loose-fitting shirt. We, too, must loosen our minds, so that it's relaxed and calm.
Let our minds be clear and pure. That's all you have to do. Soon the mind will adjust itself accordingly and move towards the proper location [at the 7th base of the body.]
22nd April 2002
Meditation Mantra
When we recite the mantra "Samma Arahang," do not repeat it like a parrot or myna bird. Even reciting by using effort is an incorrect technique. Rather, you should think of the mantra with ease of mind. Allow the words to flow softly like a familiar song or a chant. Let it flow freely from your center without tension.
1st January 2002
The Sound of the Mantra Fades
When the mind becomes still, the mantra will fade away. It is as if you've forgotten the mantra since you no longer need it to concentrate.
Just retain your concentration at the center of your body or the sphere, two fingers' width above the navel. If this feeling of centeredness comes, then you don't have to recite the mantra. Maintain the still mind, peacefully and comfortably.
22nd April 2002
Comfort Is Crucial
To attain the Dhammakaya, your mind must come to a standstill. The key to stilling the mind is relaxation. Train your mind to be relaxed and empty. When the mind lets go of everything, it will come to a standstill at the center. It will return to its true position at the 7th base.
When you bring your mind back to its rightful position, you will reach the Dhammakaya.
10th January 1999
Don't Worry
If you feel fatigued, then adjust your sitting position. Don't worry too much about being in the "right" posture. Your main interest is stilling the mind. Also remember: you are not competing against anyone; it's not about winning or losing.
You're not here to practice endurance. You're here to focus on stilling the mind. There's a difference. Focus on your task and pay no attention to any distractions around you.
31st March 1992
Loosen Up
Being distracted doesn't mean that you will fail. You must first give yourself the chance to let go of all the things you've accumulated in your mind. Don't resist, get annoyed or become worried. Let it go, and soon it will disappear. In a similar vein, we wouldn't obstruct strong, flowing rapids with a boat, as it will only cause more pressure to build up.
31st March 1992
Don't Try So Hard
Why are you trying so hard? You will attain the Dhammakaya because everybody has the Dhammakaya within.
The center of the body is within us and your mind is capable of reaching it. All that is left is practicing the correct technique - by feeling relaxed and bringing the mind to a standstill at the center of the body.
Don't make it a race against time. Just keep your mind at the center. If you feel tense or tight, don't oppose it, just open your eyes. Think of things that make you feel refreshed. It could be nature, the beauty of a flower, a good deed, a meritorious activity, a child's innocence, anything that makes you feel good. Once you feel relaxed, bring your mind back to the center of the body.
13th April 1992
It's Okay
It is okay if you cannot visualize the image of the crystal sphere; just keep your mind still without it. The ability to visualize varies from person to person; some can do it more easily than others.
Once in a while I will come across someone who can visualize with up to 80-90 percent accuracy, as if they have a Xerox or a photocopy of a crystal ball inside. The occurrence is rare because the individual must have practiced meditation over many lifetimes. Due to this past merit, when he or she visualizes the sphere, they are able to see it clearly and easily. This effortlessness is special indeed.
22nd April 2002
This Is Called Meditation
When you place your mind at the center of the body at the 7th base, whether you're sitting, standing, walking, lying down, or even in the midst of an activity, then you are practicing meditation. You are actually very close to the Dhamma of the Buddha.
27th July 1992
A Budding Fruit
It makes me happy when someone focuses his mind at the center of the body. It is like a tree whose young leaves are about to bud. Soon it will bear unfurl. When you keep practicing meditation, in no time it will "bloom" and you will attain Enlightenment.
3rd April 1992
Love Yourself
Loving yourself is not being selfish. You must strive to make yourself pure and peaceful at all times. The sensations coming from your eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body and mind can be both wholesome and unwholesome. You must select only wholesome things to converge at the center of the mind at the 7th base.
22nd September 2002
Dhamma Sphere
The Dhamma sphere that is inside the coarse human body is utterly pure and transparent. It is equal in size to an egg yolk, yet this Dhamma sphere is very important. If it is clear and bright, then your life will be prosperous. If it is clouded and dark, your life is in deterioration. If the Dhamma sphere is extinguished altogether, the human body cannot endure, and life will be extinguished too.
The Dhamma sphere is inside every one of us. So if a person can focus his mind properly at the center of the body at the 7th base, there is no doubt he will find this pure Dhamma sphere inside himself.
23rd July 2002
Remember These Words
Remember these words: "stop [the mind], be still, and stay;" and remember the phrase: "We are only observers, not directors."
These are essential for you to learn. They will help improve your level of meditation until you successfully reach the Dhammakaya.
Don't take these simple words lightly. They can help millions of people reach the true happiness.
27th March 1992
The Short Cut
The ways to reach the Dhammakaya can be easy or difficult.
The easiest way to attain the Dhammakaya—this is all you have to do: stop [the mind], be still and stay at the center of the 7th base of body - no more, no less.
Why search for other methods on your own? It is unnecessary.
I have encountered and overcome all the obstacles in meditation for attaining the Dhammakaya. Ultimately, I have found that the fastest method is also the simplest: stop [the mind], be still and stay at the center of the 7th base of body - no more, no less.
13th April 1992
Visualization
Visualization is easy when we think of something familiar or something for which we have affection. Just like when we meditate, the visualization should come easily and without strain.
22nd April 2002
No Other Shortcut
There is no shortcut to attain the Dhamma, except to gradually purify, refine, and bring peacefulness to the mind.
23rd July 2002
Machine
I think that when studying at any institution, you must use your eyes, ears and hands to write, ask questions, search for answers, memorize, and study-repeatedly.
Sometimes we do all this, yet we still fail exams. It's not always easy to find success.
But the study of the Dhammakaya method doesn't require much at all, not even notebooks or pencils!
You just need your body and a wholesome mind. Sit and meditate, keeping your mind empty of all thoughts for as long as possible, almost as if you were a machine. Switch off your "human-ness," all the anxiety, racing thoughts, and distractions. If we can't let these go, we make our path that much longer and harder to travel. Be like a robot and shut all these distractions out of your mind. Still the mind and stay still for as long as you can, and you will experience something quite miraculous, because the miracle is already inside of you. You just need to access it by staying still. Purify the mind. It's not complicated at all.
26th February 1996
The Path to Perfection
Today, you are content to practice meditation for five minutes. Tomorrow, do so again, and again the next day. Even if today's session was not as good as yesterday's, don't dwell too much on it. If today's session was better than yesterday's, don't dwell on that either. Make it a constant practice. You will encounter roadblocks, but this is the path to perfection. The mind improves with more practice even though you don't perceive it right away. You may think, "nothing seems to be happening for me." But slowly, your mind is becoming more refined and you are accumulating merit without even realizing it. Little by little, you are becoming more pure and clean.
11th August 2002
True Happiness Is Like This
Will you visualize the crystal sphere at all times? Can you do so inside the meditation hall and outside it too? If you can, it will help you attain inner happinesss. When you can visualize the sphere at all times, you will understand what it means to be truly happy.
24th April 1996
Thought for Idle Minds
When you visualize the crystal sphere image, your mind becomes occupied by the task. To visualize or wonder about other subjects is not as useful. Meditation will purify the mind. When your mind wanders to other subjects, whether human or animal, then emotions like delight or sadness can arise and distract you.
24th April 1996
Loving Kindness
When you attain the Dhammakaya, you will truly understand the meaning of the word humanitarian. The most profound feeling of pure love, goodwill, and compassion for suffering will be unlocked from within you.
1st October 2000
Sleep in Merit
Try to go to bed each night with the image of the crystal ball in your mind's eye. When you sleep with the image clear in your thoughts, the angels above rejoice in your merit, and merit is the source of all of life's treasures and joy. Good fortune will be drawn to you by your goodness. Your sleep will be peaceful and dreamless, or if you dream, it will be only of joyful things. Sleep will be like floating in air.
10th June 2002
Regularity
Practicing meditation regularly is essential inorder to reach the Dhammakaya. Even when you have many duties and responsibilities, you must add regular meditation to your routine. Whether you find yourself in a good mood or a bad mood; and whether you are sick or healthy; and whether you are at home or at the temple-meditate! With regular practice, your mind becomes more pure and clear. It will find itself settled at the 7th base of the body where Dhammakaya resides. If you can keep up this routine, then attaining the Dhammakaya is assured, one hundred percent.
27th March 1992
Diligence
Diligence is the key to meditation. All who have achieved Enlightenment did so through diligence. The opposite of diligence is laziness. Cure your laziness with diligence.
15th October 2000
Wake Up in Merit
When you wake up, first thing in the morning, visualize the crystal sphere at the center of your body. Then you can get up and brush your teeth, shower, and do morning prayers and meditation. This should be your daily routine.
10th June 2002
In Earnestness
If you all practice meditation with earnest intent, and make a resolution to attain the Dhammakaya, then each of you will surely succeed.
23rd July 2002
You Must Attain It
The Triple Gem is the most important thing. It is inside of us, and we must reach it. Meditate each day and each night. Analyze whether your methodology is correct. Besides regularity, ensure that you are engaging in the correct method, and continuously develop your practice...soon you will reach your goal.
30th August 2002
Using the Right Method
There is a correct method to Dhammakaya meditation, which you should follow. Even if you meditate a great deal, if you do not practice it correctly, you will not attain the Dhamma. Correct method and diligent practice will lead to a wholesome, clear, and purified mind and successful attainment of the Dhammakaya.
29th September 2002
Cleanliness
When you take a shower, clean your mind as well. When you wash your face and brush your teeth, clean your mind as well. As you wash the dishes, clear your mind. Think of the crystal sphere and empty your mind of all else. Meditation can be done even as you are doing other tasks. You can make your time twice as useful.
You are the source of your own merit. Focus your mind at the center at all times, and soon the crystal sphere will come to you with ease.
23rd July 2002
Think in a New Way
Once your Lent comes to an end, a new way of thinking should begin. Embrace meditation practice. If you never loved to do it before, or only liked it a little bit, then start to love it with all your heart. Meditate with discipline, and I promise you, you will achieve the Dhamma.
7th October 2002
Don't Forget to Focus the Mind
Even while occupied in your job, or other mundane tasks, never stop meditating. Combine work and meditation so that they go together hand in hand. Only by focusing and stilling the mind can we reach the Dhamma and know true happiness.
1st January 2002
Normal
You are a normal person, and it's normal to feel sad, fatigued, and distracted as everyone else does. You are not alone in facing these challenges. So don't feel discouraged or anxious.
22nd April 2002
Take It Easy
We've all heard this expression before: "Take it easy." When we don't take something seriously, it all seems easy. But when we get serious about it, it suddenly seems hard, such as when we play football or badminton for fun, we enjoy it. Meditation is similar. Do it with an easy spirit and it won't seem hard. It's when we are too serious that we find it difficult.
11th July 2002
From the Inside
A language teacher once told me that learning a language should be easy and direct because anguage is a human tool for communication. It did not originate from a scholar, a sage, or from the heavens; ordinary people created it. At its most basic level, there is a subject, a verb, and an object in a sentence. For example, I say, "I eat rice." You can add to the basic sentence to make it longer and more complex and elegant, but in the end the meaning is simple: "I eat rice." Meditation is like that too. It is very simple, so simple a child can practice it. You can do it. You will attain the Dhamma and all the knowledge of heaven, hell, and Nibbana will be revealed to you. It is as simple as drawing back a curtain, which will reveal the sunlight that illuminates our world.
30th June 1999
The Taste of Dhamma
When you are finally able to see the brightness within of the Dhamma sphere, the feeling is as indescribable as a flavor on the tongue. Your mind, going deeper and deeper into meditation, will witness the sphere and also the bodies within
the body, going from coarsest to more refined as it goes inward. Each internal "plane" is different in flavor from the others, but each is more delightful, enthralling, and addictive than any taste found in the mundane world.
25th June 2000
Meditation Is Both Secular and Spiritual
To meditate is both a secular and a spiritual necessity.
In the mundane world, meditation helps you to succeed. Pausing is the first step of any mundane task. Your pencil hovers for one moment beforeyou begin to write down your words. In the same way: To solve problems, you must stop for a moment to ponder your direction before you put thought to action. That pause allows your mind to settle and begin from a place of concentration, a place of wisdom.
Start from a small point of focus in the mind and find peace and stability. A calm mind will find solutions to life's difficulties, step by step.
4th August 1996
Life Science
My wish is that everyone feels the same thing I feel, which is love for the Dhammakaya. I love the Dhammakaya because there is no other method in the world that can cure the suffering of humankind and bring happiness to all. When your suffering is most acute, there is no earthly science - political science, economics, or whatever science - that can alleviate it. What can help you then is Buddhism. The wisdom of the Buddha is the source of bravery and patience in the face of suffering, with more strength than the doctors or nurses who try to cure you. Myself, though I suffer from a physical malady, my mind remains joyful, strong, and bright.
The Middle Way
Do you wish to travel abroad? It can be more tiring than relaxing, and when you finally return home, you forget most of what you saw.
Do you wish to travel to outer space? It seems like a journey filled with terror, fear of death, and all without knowing what there is to see on the other side.
Wherever you travel to, your defilements—greed, anger, and delusion—always stay with you.
But there is another path you can travel, the one called the Middle Way; this is the path that leads to Enlightenment. This is the only journey that leads to true and lasting happiness. Some people think happiness is about getting drunk or other such things. They will happily fall into disaster. It is important to recognize what real happiness is to mankind. If you don't even see this, then you remain in danger.
17th June 2001
As Indispensable as Air
Meditation must become part of your routine, like taking a shower, washing up, and brushing your teeth. It is as indispensable as air. Without it, we cannot thrive. When you lack air, you lose your life. When you lack meditation, you lose
everything. Make meditation a priority since it is the most important thing, your only refuge, your access to the Dhamma. With the Dhamma you attain peace and happiness, and it is the only thing you can take with you through all the lifetimes until you enter Nibbana.
15th October 2000
Remnant of Time
Time is getting away from you. There is still so much for you to learn. The knowledge gained from meditation practice is tremendous and if you lived to be a thousand years old, you might still not learn all there is to know about Dhammakaya Knowledge. Don't waste any precious time. Meditate. Whatever mundane tasks may lie before you, stop and meditate. You will come to realize just how important it is.
23th May 1992
Dhamma Practice
Meditation is the pathway to Nibbana, which is why it is of utmost importance to practice. You are in search of Nibbana. There is no greater merit than what we gain from meditation. Even if we only glimpse a momentary flash of brightness within, it is a glimpse of Nibbana.
30th March 1992
Earth and the Universe
When we can see the Dhamma sphere, the secret of life will be laid bare to you. When your eyes are closed [in meditation], and your focus centered and maintained within, and all movement—physical, verbal, and mental-are stopped, and you will see all of the Earth and the Universe.
26th January 2002
Those Who Attain the Dhammakaya
The heavenly beings of the celestial world need people who have attained the Dhammakaya. They are drawn to virtuous, wholesome people and want to be near them to bask in their goodness radiating from within. It gives them a feeling of peace and happiness to be near the Dhamma. They feel protected, and draw strength from it, the strength to be pure and virtuous too. This is why the Dhamma is incomparable.
5th March 2002
Purified Mind
Purify and clarify the mind; do not let it remain clouded with sadness. The myriad of stimuli that passes through our eyes, nose, and tongue assaults the mind and we need to carefully filter the good from the bad so that only the good remains. One of these days we shall all have to depart this world, and we should do so with a purified mind.
1st September 2002
The Shining Sun
Though you may be going through the darkest of times in your life now, one day you will be in the light of the Dhamma.
The darkest night cannot last longer than 12 hours in a single day. The sun will rise and lift it away. The light of the Dhamma is like the sun. One day when you have meditated diligently and your mind has become still, the pure light of the Dhamma will appear within. There is no need to search far and wide; you already have it inside you. You only need the right method to open the door.
23rd July 2002
