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SKILLFUL CONCENTRATION
SKILLFUL CONCENTRATION
―There are these roots of trees and empty huts. Meditate, do not delay lest you regret it later.‖
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-MN 19
Concentration is a quality of the mind whereby it is able to focus on and stay with an object of awareness without distraction. This can be any object such as a visual object, a mantra, or the breath. Lovingkindness (see “Skillful Intention, ” page 88) and the body scan meditations can also be used as concentration practices. Concentration allows us to connect more deeply with what is present. Concentration and mindfulness are complementary to each other and synergistic. Each is necessary for the cultivation of the other. At SIM we sometimes teach breath concentration practice. This is done by focusing the awareness on the sensations of breathing to the exclusion of all other objects. All other body sensations, sounds, thoughts, etc. are let go of and the attention is continually brought back to the breath. When this is done repeatedly concentration builds and one is able to stay with the breath for longer and longer periods. Eventually, intrusive thoughts drop away and the mind becomes steadily focused on the breath. Often the highly concentrated mind will experience states of peace, serenity, and bliss. For some meditators, high levels of concentration lead to the meditative absorptions (jhanas). These are temporary states of consciousness where the mind is unified and external stimuli is faintly noticed or absent. In the discourses the Buddha often speaks of the jhanas and their central role in skillful concentration. There is
controversy regarding the jhanas with modern meditation teachers. Most agree that the role of concentration in meditation is not solely to reside in blissful states. Rather, concentration is used to settle the mind, allowing the wisdom of insight to blossom. If one wishes to pursue deep levels of concentration, usually an extended period of practice (i.e., a residential retreat of one to several months) and a teacher skilled in jhana practice are required.
