Meditation Essentials 07 Recognizing Obstacles

The meditator ascends the nine stages of meditative concentration (serenity, shamatha) by recognizing the two essential features of concentration, recognizing the obstacles that impede it, and applying the antidotes. At this stage of the course, students begin a new practice: concentration combined with visualization, and learn how to recognize: Distinguishing Features of Concentration: vivid intensity, intense mental clarity stability, one-pointedness Faults That Prevent Serenity: Laziness Forgetting the instructions Not recognizing agitation and dullness Not applying antidotes Over-applying antidotes