{"id":2037,"date":"2020-03-09T15:04:04","date_gmt":"2020-03-09T05:04:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/?page_id=2037"},"modified":"2020-03-15T20:53:43","modified_gmt":"2020-03-15T10:53:43","slug":"stage-of-meditation","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/index.php\/stage-of-meditation\/","title":{"rendered":"Stage of Meditation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In the third stage, meditation, we gradually develop the prajna\nof realization<\/em>, the transcendental knowledge that sees directly the true\nnature of mind and all phenomena. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is the realization that gives birth to egoless\ncompassion<\/em> \u2013 the pure heart of love for all beings<\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is also known as absolute bodhichitta<\/em>, the union\nof compassion and emptiness, in which compassion manifests spontaneously,\nunconditionally and without bias. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the Buddhist path, many methods of meditation are taught,\nbut all are essentially included in its two most fundamental practices, shamatha<\/em>\nand vipashyana<\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shamatha<\/em> Meditation<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

We train first in shamatha<\/em>, which means \u201ccalm\nabiding.\u201d Shamatha meditation is a practice that supports the development of a\nstable, one-pointed concentration, which brings the mind to a state of peace\nand tranquility. Thus, it is also known as \u201cresting meditation.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our habitual agitation is characterized by restlessness and\ndissatisfaction. The mindfulness and awareness developed in shamatha meditation\nilluminate and tame this agitation. Our obsessive concern with past and future\nare pacified, and we can rest wakefully and at peace in the present.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vipashyana<\/em> Meditation<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Once we can rest in a state of non-distraction, we begin\ntraining in the practice of vipashyana<\/em>. Vipashyana means \u201cclear seeing\u201d\nor \u201csuperior seeing.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fundamentally, it consists of methods that bring about\nthe recognition of the nature of mind<\/em>, and is marked by a sense of openness\nand spaciousness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mind\u2019s natural clarity becomes more brilliant, and we\ndiscover the state of self-existing liberation that is the actual remedy for\nour suffering and the suffering of others. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Milarepa, meditation is not meditating on\nanything; rather, it is simply a process of familiarization \u2013 familiarizing\nourselves with the nature of our mind. The actual practice of meditation is to\ngo beyond concept and simply rest in the state of nondual experience. The\nability to rest in that way comes from contemplation, from analytical\nmeditation, which gradually leads us to the stage of nonconceptual meditation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thus, meditation is the actual cause that produces the\ngenuine prajna of realization. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Milarepa said that true realization<\/em> is like a clear,\nopen sky, or like vast space that is unchanging. Once you have reached the\nlevel of realization, that realization is always the same. It does not come and\ngo like the morning mist. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is helpful to note that Padmasambhava\u2019s comprehensive\ninstructions for meditation differentiate practices that are associated with\nthe natural bardo of this life from those that are linked to the bardo of\nmeditation. What is the basis for this distinction? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bardo of meditation<\/em> occurs within the natural bardo\nof this life<\/em>, and all of our practices are therefore part of our experience\nof this bardo. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, according to the system of the six bardos, the\nactual experience of the bardo of meditation occurs when we are not only\nresting in a state of peace and tranquility, but also resting directly in a\nstate of nonconceptual awareness. The bardo of meditation therefore is\nassociated with the practice of vipashyana. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the natural bardo of this life, we begin our training in meditation with the foundational practices<\/em> called the four common and four uncommon preliminaries<\/em>. This is the training that prepares us for the main practice of shamatha which follows. In addition, Padmasambhava\u2019s instructions include the practice of deity yoga, which is briefly mentioned here and which is presented in detail in the chapter on the bardo of becoming, the bardo with which it is most closely linked. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Source: Ponlop, Dzogchen. Mind Beyond Death<\/em>. Shambhala Publications. Kindle Edition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Reflection:
In the third stage, meditation, we gradually develop the prajna of realization<\/em>, the transcendental knowledge that sees directly the true nature of mind and all phenomena.
This is the realization that gives birth to egoless compassion<\/em> \u2013 the pure heart of love for all beings<\/em>.
(Dzogchen Ponlop) <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\"Facebook\"<\/a>\"twitter\"<\/a>\"reddit\"<\/a>\"pinterest\"<\/a>\"linkedin\"<\/a>\"mail\"<\/a>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In the third stage, meditation, we gradually develop the prajna of realization, the transcendental knowledge that sees directly the true nature of mind and all phenomena. This is the realization that gives birth to egoless compassion \u2013 the pure heart …<\/span> Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"spay_email":""},"yoast_head":"\nStage of Meditation - End-of-Life Reflections<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"http:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/index.php\/stage-of-meditation\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Stage of Meditation - End-of-Life Reflections\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"In the third stage, meditation, we gradually develop the prajna of realization, the transcendental knowledge that sees directly the true nature of mind and all phenomena. This is the realization that gives birth to egoless compassion \u2013 the pure heart … Continue reading →\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"http:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/index.php\/stage-of-meditation\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"End-of-Life Reflections\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2020-03-15T10:53:43+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_8531-ed-1024x768.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/\",\"name\":\"End-of-Life Reflections\",\"description\":\"Reflections on dying and death from a Buddhist view\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":\"required name=search_term_string\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"@id\":\"http:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/index.php\/stage-of-meditation\/#primaryimage\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_8531-ed-1024x768.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_8531-ed-1024x768.jpg\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"http:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/index.php\/stage-of-meditation\/#webpage\",\"url\":\"http:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/index.php\/stage-of-meditation\/\",\"name\":\"Stage of Meditation - End-of-Life Reflections\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"http:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/index.php\/stage-of-meditation\/#primaryimage\"},\"datePublished\":\"2020-03-09T05:04:04+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2020-03-15T10:53:43+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"http:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/index.php\/stage-of-meditation\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"http:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/index.php\/stage-of-meditation\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"http:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/index.php\/stage-of-meditation\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Stage of Meditation\"}]}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Stage of Meditation - End-of-Life Reflections","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"http:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/index.php\/stage-of-meditation\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Stage of Meditation - End-of-Life Reflections","og_description":"In the third stage, meditation, we gradually develop the prajna of realization, the transcendental knowledge that sees directly the true nature of mind and all phenomena. This is the realization that gives birth to egoless compassion \u2013 the pure heart … Continue reading →","og_url":"http:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/index.php\/stage-of-meditation\/","og_site_name":"End-of-Life Reflections","article_modified_time":"2020-03-15T10:53:43+00:00","og_image":[{"url":"https:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_8531-ed-1024x768.jpg"}],"twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Est. reading time":"3 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/","name":"End-of-Life Reflections","description":"Reflections on dying and death from a Buddhist view","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"http:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/index.php\/stage-of-meditation\/#primaryimage","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_8531-ed-1024x768.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_8531-ed-1024x768.jpg"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"http:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/index.php\/stage-of-meditation\/#webpage","url":"http:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/index.php\/stage-of-meditation\/","name":"Stage of Meditation - End-of-Life Reflections","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"http:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/index.php\/stage-of-meditation\/#primaryimage"},"datePublished":"2020-03-09T05:04:04+00:00","dateModified":"2020-03-15T10:53:43+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"http:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/index.php\/stage-of-meditation\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["http:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/index.php\/stage-of-meditation\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"http:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/index.php\/stage-of-meditation\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Stage of Meditation"}]}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2037"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2037"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2037\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2213,"href":"https:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2037\/revisions\/2213"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2037"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}