The Blessed Buddha repeatedly emphasized: Bhikkhus, when one thing is developed and repeatedly practised, then it leads to a supreme sense of urgency, to a supreme advantage, to a supreme ceasing of bondage, to a supreme full awareness and clear comprehension, to winning knowledge and vision, to a happy life here and now, to realization of the fruit of clear vision and releasing deliverance. What is that one unique thing? It is awareness occupied with the body! Bhikkhus, those who get a taste of body awareness also get a taste of the deathless! While those who neglect all practice of body awareness, cannot get a taste of the deathless! (AN I 43+45)
A beautiful and attractive self? Something worth clinging to?
The bhikkhu devoted to body awareness is a conquers both boredom and delight, and boredom does not overcome him! He dwells transcending boredom as it arises. He is a conqueror of fear and dread, and fear and dread do not conquer him, since he dwells transcending fear and dread just as they arise. He is one who tolerates cold and heat... who endures any adversity ... arisen bodily feelings that are painful ... even life threatening (MN III 97)! He becomes an obtainer of the four jhānas based on the colour aspect of the head hairs, nails, teeth, skin, organs or bone etc. He comes to penetrate the six kinds of direct-knowledge (see MN Sutta 6).
So let a man, if he is wise, Untiringly devote his days To mindfulness of body, which Rewards him in so many ways.
