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Meditative concentration (dhyāna): settle the mind, and rest it on the equality of self and others

Clear away busyness and craving for praise, then let the settled mind dwell on the fact that others want happiness exactly as you do.

Pourquoi ça marche

In Patrul Rinpoche’s guide, concentration begins by abandoning what scatters it: habitual busyness, attachment to reward, praise and reputation — answered by contentment with what comes — and thoughts of desire. The main practice he then gives is bodhicitta, the wish for others’ awakening, starting with the meditation on the equality of oneself and others, which he quotes from Bodhicaryāvatāra VIII.90: since all are equal in wanting happiness and not wanting suffering, care for everyone as for yourself. Concentration and the motive of the path are trained together, so a calmer mind is also a less self-centred one.

Comment faire

  1. Before sitting, put aside one specific preoccupation — a message to check, a worry about how you are seen — and decide it can wait.
  2. Settle for a few minutes with any simple support, such as the breath.
  3. Bring to mind one person, and reflect: they want happiness and do not want suffering, exactly as I do.
  4. When you notice a moment of your own happiness during the day, add the wish that others have it too; when you suffer, wish that you and others be free of it.
  5. If the mind is too scattered for reflection, return to simply settling — the reflection works on a calmer mind.

Données probantes

The adverse factors, the use of bodhicitta as the object of concentration, and the equalizing meditation (with its verse from Bodhicaryāvatāra VIII.90) are from Patrul Rinpoche’s guide, which then moves on to exchanging oneself and others (VIII.131 and VIII.140). This combined practice has not been tested as such. (anecdotal)

Patrul Rinpoche’s instructions on giving up worldly concerns assume retreat conditions and include monastic-style advice on desire that will not fit every reader. The exchange meditations that follow are covered on the tonglen and lojong pages.

Sources

Erreur fréquente

Treating concentration as a private skill separate from the rest of the path — in this teaching the settled mind is put to work on the equality of self and others, so calm that leaves self-concern untouched is only half the training.

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Questions fréquentes

Comment fonctionne Meditative concentration (dhyāna): settle the mind, and rest it on the equality of self and others ?

In Patrul Rinpoche’s guide, concentration begins by abandoning what scatters it: habitual busyness, attachment to reward, praise and reputation — answered by contentment with what comes — and thoughts of desire. The main practice he then gives is bodhicitta, the wish for others’ awakening, starting with the meditation on the equality of oneself and others, which he quotes from Bodhicaryāvatāra VIII.90: since all are equal in wanting happiness and not wanting suffering, care for everyone as for yourself. Concentration and the motive of the path are trained together, so a calmer mind is also a less self-centred one.

Quelle est l'erreur la plus fréquente avec Meditative concentration (dhyāna): settle the mind, and rest it on the equality of self and others ?

Treating concentration as a private skill separate from the rest of the path — in this teaching the settled mind is put to work on the equality of self and others, so calm that leaves self-concern untouched is only half the training.

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