Expert: Justin Choo - 5/7/2009

Question
QUESTION: I was just wondering - are the various forms of meditation, such as loving-kindness meditation, breath meditation, insight meditation, really necessary for reaching nirvana?

Because it seems to me that the only thing that must occur for a person to enter nirvana is for him/her to be aware of anatta and the oneness of the universe. Once there is no more concept of self, there is no more desire, and bliss has been reached.

So... once a person is aware of their own selfless nature, when one even 'breathes' oneness with every step, does it truly matter whether the mind is still, whether it has insight into the nature of things, or whether it radiates love? Are these things not somewhat irrelevant?

I could understand how a rampant and restless mind mind be an obstruction, and so breath-meditation at least should be undertaken, but why, for example, is insight meditation necessary?

It seems to me to be more of an 'accessory', in fact, one might even say that it goes contrary to the spirit of Buddhism. Is attempting to reach higher states of awareness not simple desire, even selfish? After all, one thinks, "I" want to reach this state, "I" want to be able to do this.

As it were, will the truth and the nature of things not be as it is, regardless of whether one is aware of it? Is this desire to be aware of it not then a way of being concerned with the self, being concerned that this non-existent "I" will not know something?

And is wishing to attain high states of meditation not a way of clinging to sensations or perceptions, clinging to experiences? Or if not clinging, then at least desiring them (which one could say is about the same)?

Thank you for your time!

ANSWER: Hi Howard,

I know that you are not asking any question but making your point.  You have a good point.  I am also very apprehensive of visiting/joining meditation retreats.  This is only my personal feeling.  I tend to see these people having strange behaviour; just not natural.  And from personal experience, some also have "strange" interpretations of what meditation is; while others will tell you that they have "arrived"!!

Coming back to your comment, in all fairness; I would affirm that it is essential to practise correct Buddhist meditation in order "to be aware of anatta and the oneness of the universe" (quoting you).   

Thanks for your comment, and may this Wesak bring you peace and happiness.

Take care.

Justin Choo

[I like to invite you to visit my blog:]
http://lifeislikethat999.blogspot.com/

[And these sites by Rev. Dhammika:]
http://sdhammika.blogspot.com/
http://www.buddhismatoz.com/

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for your input - I was actually intending to ask a question (I think I may have phrased it badly - while I was stating a point, it was more of a background information type thing).

What I would ask now then, is, well, WHICH forms of meditation would you say are necessary for reaching nirvana?

ANSWER: Hi Howard,

From the scriptures, the most relevent sutta is the "Four foundations of Mindfulness" the Satipatthana Sutta.  It proclaims:

"The only way that leads to the attainment of purity, to the overcoming of sorrow and lamentation, to the end of pain and grief, to the entering of the right path, and to the realization of Nibbana are The Four Foundations Of Mindfulness."

What are the fours? Contemplation of the body, the feelings, the mind, and the mind-objects.

Body: mindfulness of breathing and clarity of consciousness.
Feelings: pleasant, unpleasant, and neutral.
Mind: the state of the mind; greed, hatred and delusion.
Mind-objects: understand the nature of the five hindrances, the fetters, the factors of enlightenment, and the four noble truths.

In another scripture, it is shown how these 4 foundations of mindfulness may be brought about by the exercise of Mindfulness on "in- and out- breathing" (anapanasati)

In other words, correct Buddhist meditation is essential to achieve the goal of Nibbana.  When one has full concentration one experiences "Samatha" tranquility, the foundation for "vipassana" insight.  As such it is my understanding that one should practise Samatha meditation to enter into Vipassana meditation.

Just a word of caution; Buddhist meditation is quite a "controversial" subject with many insisting that you only need vipassana.  My contention is that you need samatha to go into vipassana.   

Take care.

Justin Choo

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you once more... but I am afraid I have just one last question :). Just to clear some things up.

I would agree with you that samatha is absolutely necessary for vipassana meditation, after all, how can one think if the mind is not focused? It would be a complete waste of time and before long the monkey-mind would have wandered away, leaving the meditator without insight into anything at all.

But my question would be - of what exactly must one gain insight with vipassana? Quite simply, I do not see a need for meditation on emptiness or impermanence, or indeed any concept at all besides anatta.

Also metta, for example - what purpose does this serve? Is metta simply another form of samatha meditation, purely for the purpose of calming the mind? If not, why would it be required?

Also such things as understanding karma or rebirth - they may be useful, but are they ultimately necessary? Does one really need these? Re-birth, for example - is contemplating it not a waste of time that could otherwise be spent breathing?

The way I would see it, all that is needed is:

Breath meditation -----------(Once the mind is calmed, one can apply it)---------> Insight meditation into anatta and the oneness/selflessness of the universe ----------> Nirvana, release.

Is the rest truly *necessary*? Is it not just a distraction from the path?

Thank you once more for your input.

Answer
Hi Howard,

I hope this is not your last question.  Please do come back if you need any clarification, or to share your thoughts.

<<But my question would be - of what exactly must one gain insight with vipassana? Quite simply, I do not see a need for meditation on emptiness or impermanence, or indeed any concept at all besides anatta.>>
I agree with you.  As I am not a serious meditator (due to personal commitment and time constraint) what I comment here would be from using my common sense; but then common sense may not be always correct since I have not gone through the serious practice of meditation.  Be that as it may, my personal interpretation is that we do not choose the manner how the process of meditation would take place.  I think if we follow the correct "procedure" of anapanasati which the Buddha practised, the "mystery" will unfold itself.  As far as I am concerned, I just meditate to stay focused or "one-pointedness" and let "nature" take over.  I feel that if one can project the mind to focus on one point for a long period, then one will experience insight.  Well, that's what I think.  I am sure other "more serious" meditators will laugh at me. Let it be, let it be.

<<Also metta, for example - what purpose does this serve? Is metta simply another form of samatha meditation, purely for the purpose of calming the mind? If not, why would it be required?>>
Metta meditation is a very mundane form of mental exercise for goodwill and thoughts of kindness.  It is supposed to help reduce hateful thoughts.  By so doing, one gains peace of mind.   

<<Breath meditation -----------(Once the mind is calmed, one can apply it)---------> Insight meditation into anatta and the oneness/selflessness of the universe ----------> Nirvana, release.>>
Agreed.  The big question is "HOW?".

Take care.

Justin Choo