We have something in us that naturally searches for pleasure, searches for meaning. We go out to find it, but it’s actually right here in our embodiment. The indriya are expressed in our embodiment, they support embodied intelligence. Focus on the practises that establish these faculties. As they come together, everything rests, there’s a ceasing, you can relax.

A reading of excerpts from the Suttas related to how one gets encouraged to undertake the practice. 1) AN 3:65 – Kālāma Sutta; 2) MN 95 – Cankī Sutta; and, 3) MN 70 – Kīṭāgiri Sutta. Some common threads are qualities of self-questioning, questioning one’s motivation, knowing what’s reliable, knowing how to test it out.

A reading of Sutta extracts that describe the step-by-step instructions of the Buddha. 1) Vin. Mahavagga (on Yassa); 2) DN 2 – Sāmmaññaphala Sutta; 3) MN 53 – Sekha Sutta; and, 4) MN 125 – The Grade of the Tamed. There are similarities across the lists. They refer not so much to ‘do this’ and ‘do that’ kind of lists, but describe a process of cause and effect: do this and allow that, dwell in that, and this will take you to the next step. It is subtler than steps of a technique.

To meditate refers to placing the mind on a conducive object. There are functions that support meditation: vitakka –applied thoughtfulness/consideration; and, vicara – reflective evaluating, taking in the effects of what we apply ourselves to. Various applications of vitakka-vicara are reviewed, from the 5 indriya to mindfulness of body and breathing.