The Path to Nirodha
Why and How of Meditation
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From Chapter 4, pp. 44-45. This mindfulness can be taught by various techniques – walking meditation, by observing the body, as well as by observing the breath. This mindfulness seems like such a simple concept, but the trick is to sustain a peaceful watching of the mind, the thoughts, uninterrupted for a period of twenty minutes or more, as a preliminary goal, without being taken away into some kind of day dreaming, elaboration of a thought or a rewinding of a personal drama. Training to achieve this skill, and then practicing, helps make the mind function well and creates connections with our Hearts as we learn to develop this as a resource. “The mind is gentle and tranquil and is most suitable for carrying out its function when it is overwhelmingly under the influence of our Hearts.” This is mindfulness at its best and the author, Buddhadasa Bikkhu, was the founding leader of Suan Mokkh, a stripped down almost secular Wat. Nonetheless, this training is ambitious, and from this skillful fourth step of Anapanasati, all of our spiritual practice flourishes. We will know that we have achieved success with our mindfulness training when we no longer need to apologize for or regret our actions as often as in the past – the beginning of Nirodha. We will have developed the self-control to behave the way we see is best, there are no unproductive addictions and no obstacles to showing and receiving love with our families and friends in a normal and productive way. That is, our ability to feel and show compassion has expanded. What a blessing this is! And we need to keep practicing mindfulness training until we reach this stage of competence and beyond. The same foundations of meditation that we are pursuing here from the Theravada tradition are also found and used in the Tibetan traditions as the “mental continuum”, presumably all kinds of cognitive activity relating to 1) the body, 2) feeling tone, 3) our state of consciousness, 4) and the contents of consciousness. Each can sustain mindfulness, and it is interesting to see how the same teachings that flourish in Thailand, also can be found in Tibet and elsewhere. The entire practice of Anapanasati is not exotic or esoteric; it is based on successful mindfulness, (direct awareness of our breath) which as we need to remember is one step along the Eight-fold Path, think of it as one/one-hundredth part of the Dharma.
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About the Book
If you are thoughtful, reflective, in tune with nature -- you are ready for more formal meditation -- and ready for this book. Meditation is a tool available to everyone; no matter how callous or spiritual, well-adjusted or complex one's life is. Knowing why and how to meditate are arguably the most important signals of approaching an enlightened life. These sixteen chapters follow the sequence of the Anapanasati Sutta, according to the Four Foundations of Meditation. The inspiration and teachings of the Satipatthana Sutta and the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta: Setting the Wheel of Dhamma in Motion, the Buddha's first discourse, are incorporated. Beyond that autobiographical sketches inform the reader about how possible, natural, and easy meditation is. These simple facts are not disputed by most people, and the best thing that can be said about each teaching in this book is: I know that... I agree with that simple truth! The sequence of the book leads from one simple truth to the next following a logical path to eliminating suffering (Nirodha) in a practical way. The book can be read from front to back, or opened at any point by experienced meditators for inspirational ideas.
About the Author
Irv Jacob was never a monk and sits in a chair (or walks, stands or lies down) most of the time when he meditates, so how can he be qualified to write a book about Buddhist meditation? Further, the process of writing has taught him a lot (insights that are incorporated into the book). This is his fourth book relating to experiences with Buddhist teachings, meditation and travels in Buddhist countries, but he relies on experts and gives standard footnotes and references to their works. He began meditating in his early twenties (in the 1960’s) and off and on since then; he has tested and experienced several Buddhist traditions and many more explanations and teachings. This book derives primarily but not exclusively from interpretations popular in Thailand, but even his eight trips to the People's Republic of China have informed his writing. Jacob's professional and academic experience as "Master of Agriculture" informs his rational approach to Buddhism; and his career as a reserve, medical service officer in the US Air Force (Retired as Lt. Colonel) testifies to his motivation to work to achieve a better world. Many of his insights are original but testable by readers who are urged to judge this content by the practical nature of the teachings, rather than by the "lay-man" status of the author.