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Buddhists/Anapana and Vipassana

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Expert: - 9/30/2010


Question
I understand vipassana meditation seeks to understand the source of all affliction/desire/delusion/temperament/etc.
Can anapana meditation or meditation to still the mind achieve the same result?

Answer
Hi Choo,

Many people tend to treat the different types of Buddhist meditation as distinct from one another. This should not be.  They are all inter-related.

Anapana or anapanasati is the mindful concentration of breathing, which I told you about in your first question earlier.  You need a concentrated mind to be able to develop insight or vipassana. Without going into scholastic interpretation of the various types of meditation; to me Buddhist meditation is to calm and still the mind; after which it is my opinion that a stilled mind will be able to find its direction.  For me, I just practise Anapanasati and let it take its course.  Many will disagree with me.  So up to you to study and practise further and to find your answer in due course.

Take care.

Justin Choo

Buddhists

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Justin Choo

Expertise

When in doubt seek it out. All your questions will be answered, and you may not have to agree with the answers. Such is the beauty of Buddhism. You are free to decide. I follow the Theravada tradition, and have been studying Buddhism for more than 40 years. Please view my profile for more details. I have answered more than 1500 questions since joining this category. You may like to give me the honor to answer your question.

Experience

I was brought up in the 50's as a Buddhist. For the past 40 years I have read numerous books on Buddhism and listened to numerous talks on Buddhism by well-respected and learned monks and lay teachers. I conduct Buddhist classes for parents of Sunday School children in a Theravada Buddhist Temple. My teacher was the late Chief Reverend, The Ven. K Sri Dhammananda of The Brickfields Buddhist Mahavihara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. You can view the relevent website in memory of my revered late teacher @ http://www.ksridhammananda.com

Organizations
I am a life member of the Buddhist Missionary Society Malaysia.

Publications
YOU ARE INVITED TO VISIT MY BLOG @ http://lifeislikethat999.blogspot.com/ Published a book called "The Rainbow And The Treasure". It is a compilation of extracts from various sources to introduce Buddhism to beginners. (Currently out of print)

Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Commerce And Administration, Victoria University Of Wellington, NZ.(1974)

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