Jason B:
So, you would enter a particular jhana and then hold the problem in your mind as a sort of static object? Instead of the breath or jhana factors, I would focus on say, the overall feeling of a problem? Am I on the right track? Thanks for your help.
Hi Jason,
Don't get too hung-up on the mention of jhana (absorption). The practice of being able to enter into absorption is just a tool to help the practitioner begin to be able to control the movement of mind at will. If you can bring your mind to stillness at will, then you can enter into contemplation at will also. It's not necessary to think that you always have to enter into absorption in order to be able to accomplish this. The practice of absorption, for me, was a way to help me train the mind to be quiet. Once I was able to achieve a quiet mind (very similar to the fourth jhana), I learned how to enter that state at will without having to formally think about achieving absorption in order to get there. It just happened whenever I sat to meditate, because I
knew how to make it happen.
Yes, you're on the right track with regard to contemplation. Generally, insight into problem solving occurs in a quiet mind, as you are able to focus in on the aspects of the object (problem) that you are observing/contemplating about. You may run through several scenarios before one that appeals to you occurs to you. I do this all the time in my own contemplation practice with great success.
One hint that may help when practicing to gain more insight into the Dhamma is to read or think about whatever aspect you are wanting insight about (such as the three characteristics, the teaching on
anatta, or whatever aspect that you are studying) ahead of time in the moments just
before you sit for formal meditation. This activity acts as a kind of "priming of the pump" so to speak, assisting the mind to be thinking ahead of time about the subject matter it is to take up during contemplation. If done right, you will be amazed at the insights that will occur to you during contemplation. Things or ways to view things you never thought to consider suddenly occur to a mind at ease and open to new ways to viewing things.
In peace,
Ian