What is the Concentration Link to Awakening?
Fixed Focus is the characteristic
of the Concentration Link to Awakening
(Samādhi-Sambojjhanga). Ceasing of distraction, disturbance,
diversion,
agitation, mental instability and wavering is the purpose of the
quality of
Concentration
(Samādhi). Incisive certainty is the manifestation of the
concentration link to awakening. This stability enables breakthrough
to
understanding! Some concentration is present in all kinds of consciousness.
Training that anchors attention on only 1 object by condensing
the focus.
The resulting effect of
concentration is knowledge
and vision!
The proximate cause of
concentration is happiness
:-)
Concentration
comes in increasing grades of intensity:
1: Momentary concentration with
a few seconds of one-pointedness.
2: Preparatory concentration of
longer, yet still unstable focus quality.
3: Access concentration, which approaches the 1st
jhāna absorption.
4: Absorption concentration with fixed and
unified mental one-pointedness.
Fourfold is the blessing of
Concentration:
1: Sublime happiness here and now through the 4 absorptions.
2: Assured
knowledge and true vision of things as they really are.
3: Awareness
and clear comprehension of all transient phenomena.
4: Ceasing of all mental
fermentation by absence of clinging. DN 33
The Buddha once said:
What
mental
fermentations (āsava) should be
overcome by development? If a Bhikkhu by
careful
and rational attention
develops the
Concentration Link to Awakening
based on seclusion,
based
on disillusion, based on ceasing, culminating in renouncing relinquishment,
then neither can mental fermentation, nor any fever, nor any discontent
ever arise in him. MN2 [i 11]
In one whose body is
calm, and who enjoys a pleasurable happiness his
mind becomes concentrated. The
Concentration Link to
Awakening
arises right there. He develops
it, and for him repeatedly meditating
it goes gradually to the culmination of its development.
MN118 [iii 85]
Further inspirations on the condensing
quality
of
Concentration
(Samādhi):
Concentration_Samadhi,
Samma-Samadhi,
The_Concentration_Ability,
High_and_Alert,
What is Right Concentration?,
Feeding Concentration,
Stopping_Mental_Frustration,
Stopping_Physical_Pain,
Concentrated_Truth,
Art_of_Absorption,
Jhana_Absorption,
Joys_Beyond_This_World,
9_Stillings,
Details of the Jhana Absorptions,
Requisites for Jhana Absorption,
No Pain!
