Factors in developing Deep Concentration
The ability of
bringing up the meditation object of concentration to the point of access
concentration just before absorption involves the building up of the
mental factors of concentration skilfully, so that it becomes powerful
enough to fall into absorption.
Some important factors
in development of deep concentration are given here:
1.
MINDFULNESS Mindfulness being the main controlling faculty of the mind
is of course indispensable. It brings the mind to the point of
concentration skilfully. Besides it guards against defilements and
extraneous thoughts. Then it causes us to take the appropriate action to
remedy it. It also keeps the mind flexible, workable, soft, and so on.
Therefore there must be plenty of mindfulness at various depths. It will,
however, have to be that suited to the tranquillity form of concentration
and not the insight form. Comparatively in tranquillity meditation, the
concentration faculty is much stronger than the energy faculty and so its
unique balance has to be maintained. It has also to be continuous and as a
result, it would be advisable for many to set up a strong grounding of
mindfulness through various satipatthana exercises before one embarks on
intensive samatha bhavana.
2. DETACHMENT Right
concentration is often referred to as concentration detached from the five
senses. We can understand this if we know that our object is solely that
of the mind door. Its concentration is that above the five sense doors. If
we still have rampant cravings for sense pleasures, we can never get near
the absorptions. However if one is really detached, then it lifts one off
from the valleys of the five senses. Detachment has the power to remove
the bondages that tie us to the lower worlds. When metta comes with
pleasantness and joy, the detached attitude is an important
consideration.
3.
PATIENCE Patience is the opposite of impatience or anger which is
associated with agitation. If we preserve patience, our mind by itself
will calm down. In this case, patience is synonymous with the undisturbed
aspect of tranquillity. It can remain with the object for longer periods
of time, for with non-anger there follows equanimity, another factor of
concentration.
Texts also inform us
that to guard the concentration, we need to take into consideration the
seven suitabilities. These external things are
1. residence 2.
village where one seeks for food 3. conversation 4. company 5.
food 6. season, and 7. postures.
We can consider how
these can influence our concentration and hence select the one which is
conducive. |