General Meditation Techniques
There are two principle techniques in meditation. They are known as Samatha Meditation and Vipassana Meditation.
Samatha Meditation
Samatha Meditation deals with concentration in order to remove the "five hindranced" to wisdom. the five hindrances are the attachment to sensual desire, ill-will, inactiveness, anxiety and doubtfulness. Lord Buddha had taught forty methods on Samatha meditation. Any one of these methods or a combination of them may be selected to help the mind concertrate.
Vipassana Meditation
Vipassana Meditation is the technique to develop the Right Wisdom derived from the contemplation of the physical body, feelings, mental activites and Dhamma. the contemplation of Dhamma is necessary to create awareness of the Five Hindrances, the attachment to The Five Groups of Existence or Aggregates, the Four Noble Truths, The Eight-fold Noble Paths, to mention a few. Fianlly, one must develop The seven Enlightenment Factors which are mindfulness, Dhamma nanlysis, effort, joy, tranquility, concentration and equanimity.
The Right Wisdom, once developed, would enable a person to understand clearly the Three Characteristics of Compounds. All compounds are subjected to change and caouse suffering for those who attach to them. Finally, all compounds are void self. the higher level of understanding is to ralize the Four Noble Truths which are Suffering, Cause of suffering. Therefore, Vipassana Meditation when fully developed would be the key to a happy file, one which is far from sufferings.
Phra Ajan Maha Sermchai Jayamanggalo
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