A practically-based exploration of the nature of concentration and its place in practice, how to practice concentration (complementing the morning instructions), five challenges of concentration practice and how to work with them, and the relationship of concentration and insight practice.
Concentration is a skillful means that provides a foundation for understanding things as they really are (Yatha Bhuta). Through the direct experience of impermanence, freedom unfolds.
We examine practicing with the Three Characteristics, particularly with Dukkha (suffering) and anatta (not-self). Then we explore "spacious awareness," a type of non-conceptual awareness beyond the splits of knower and known, particularly in the teachings of the Buddha and the Thai Forest tradition, with some reference to Tibetan and Zen traditions. Thirdly, we outline a number of ways to access this kind of awareness.
