Vipassana [mindfulness] meditation class @SABS Part 9

Lesson 9

The following were yogis' queries and experiences that Bro KC helped address :

1) Is meditation running away from reality, since we are not to think during meditation?

The simple definition of meditation is taking care of the mind. We can take care of the mind via formal meditation and informal meditation practices. During the formal meditation practice there is no need for yogis to think so much. Only minimal appropriate thinking is sufficient for the yogi to engage in the formal meditation practice. Examples of minimal appropriate thinking are like what is the right thing to do or what technique is appropriate to apply at certain time in the practice. If one is well versed with the practice one may not need to think at all during the formal meditation practice. During the informal setting yogis may think as much as they wish. However, in line with taking care of the mind or cultivating the mind yogis are to think mindfully, purposefully and constructively.
The purpose of engaging in formal meditation practice is to develop concentration via continuous mindfulness on the primary and secondary objects. Sustained concentration is the pre-requisite for insight knowledge [wisdom] to arise in vipassana meditation. Thinking if inappropriate and excessive will act as a hindrance  to one's meditation practice.

The Buddha taught there are 3 levels of knowledge/understanding that can be obtained via :

    a) Reading/listening to the Dhamma

    b) Contemplating on the Dhamma

    c) Vipassana [insight] meditation to attain insight knowledge or realisations on the realities of existence.

Sufficient successive insight knowledge gained can enable the purification of mind [eradication of mental defilements] for good. Thinking has its limitation. Insight knowledge is beyond thinking.

2)  Difference between the thinking mind and wandering mind.

A thinking mind is akin to the mental process of thinking over certain matter either intentionally or unintentionally.  A wandering mind is one's attention drifting [wandering] away from one's object of mindfulness. A wandering mind also means the mind is not concentrated. When the mind wanders, acknowledge that the mind has wandered and gently redirect one's attention back to the primary object of mindfulness.

 3)  Dosing off during formal meditation.
    

At the onset of the sleepy mind the yogi can take the sleepy mind as an object of mindfulness. One can observe how the mind gets heavier and heavier and more and more dull. There are two possible outcomes to this practice. One is that the sleep mind can eventually clear up [no more sleepy]. The other is one eventually goes to sleep. When that happens one can be said to be sleeping mindfully while the body remains erect. When one wakes up chances are one will be refreshed due to the good quality of sleep undergone. Resume noting the primary object thereafter. 

4)   Is the yogi supposed to have certain experience whilst engaging in formal meditation practice? 

Each yogi's personal experience is unique.  There is no right or wrong pertaining to what the yogi experienced.

5)  Dealing with bodily sensations like pains and aches.

A better way to deal with body pains is to observe the nature and intensity of pain without resisting it.   Be mindful and accept it and then redirect attention to the primary object of rising and falling movements of abdomen.  Yogis can also note the resulting unpleasant feeling and state of mind [either aversion or non-aversion].

We went on to do walking meditation following the techniques of 1-step, 2-step, and 3-step that we learned before.  Followed by about 30 minutes of sitting meditation.