Method

Some years ago a motley group of Dhamma siblings were at Sunlun Meditation centre at Mingyan. We were warmly received and soon tea, bananas and biscuits were offered to us weary travellers.

In the midst of a short Dhamma talk, Sayadaw asked us
"Which is the BEST meditation method?"

We have a potpourri of yogis in our midst, all practising with different "METHODS"! The silence was ghastly..... it was a no win situation for us, and we could not answer diplomatically or honestly without someone getting 'offended'.

Sayadaw broke into a broad smile.... and he said

"The best meditation method is the method MOST suitable for you! and only you know which is most suitable for you...... I don't!"

This was most insightful .... here, a Meditation master is sharing with us what most people will obstinately deny, holding to the view that only 'their' way is the best way.

In Insight Meditation, we aim to note Ultimate Realities, not concepts.

Whatever the method used is merely an approach to lead us in to this exercise of Mindfulness and noting Realities. Whether we start with "Rising, falling", or "Hyperventilation", or "Noting feelings" or "The whole Breath", this is the way that leads us to a still mind that can note clearly the Ultimate Realities that arises at the 5 sense organs and the Mind..... and ultimate realities have NO Names. It just is what it is.

It has the 3 Universal Characteristics of Anicca, Dukkha and Anatta. Whether we want to actively label or not, if we are truly and honestly noting/looking/contemplating, these 3 Characteristics will be seen in all arising phenomena. The point is to look/ note/ contemplate Mindfully and clearly. The rest is all the semantics of how we wish to describe it to our friends and to ourselves!

Now as the Learned Sayadaw wisely said, only we know which approach is best suited for us. We are all different with differing inclinations and personalities. One approach may not be suitable for all. When the Buddha was alive, The Great Teacher with His profound insight into the past and into the Minds of the students, could custom select meditation objects specifically for the student concerned. Progress was of course smooth and quick in this case. Now we do not have this advantage with us and it is up to us to select which approach is most conducive to our Insight development and which teacher we can amicably bond with.

We must remember the aim of the exercise; to see into the Truth of nature, to break the delusions of self, and ultimately to severe defilements and effects of kamma so that rebirth is ended, the task is accomplished, and the peace of Nibbana attained.

Does the technique you are using help you with each of this? If so, Sadhu x 3!

"In reference to the seen,.. only the seen,.. to the heard, only the heard,.. to the sensed, only the sensed,.. to the cognized, only the cognized. Then there is no "you" in terms of that... This is the end of stress."

Does "your" technique help you to understand the above statement? This very brief 'technique' taught to the Ascetic Bahiya enabled him to become Enlightened. Just this few simple lines BUT the essence of Meditation is all within. No lengthy technical description needed.