As a Buddhist monk, I went to a graveyard. There I saw the body of a dead woman, Covered in worms. Although most people would find it disgusting, I was filled with lust. I fled faster than The time it takes to cook rice. I went to a quiet place, To practice my mindfulness. I … Continue reading Lust

If you learn to practice self-control over the things you see, hear, smell, taste, touch, and think, then you will keep your mind pure. When your mind is pure, joy arises. When you are joyful, the body naturally becomes relaxed. A relaxed body leads to bliss, and bliss leads to samadhi. And for one with … Continue reading Meditation 4

Once Ānanda asked the Buddha, “Is it possible to achieve a state of meditation where you no longer experience any physical sensation, any space, any consciousness, nothingness, perception, anything in this world or any other world? And yet still there is still experience?” “Yes,” the Buddha replied. “But how is that possible?” “Ānanda, when a … Continue reading Meditation 3

What are the five things that are the hallmarks of deep meditation, of jhana? When a spiritual seeker completely withdraws from sense pleasures they enter the first stage of jhana. They are filled with bliss and happiness but are still returning again and again to the subject of meditation. Their entire body is filled with … Continue reading Meditation 2