Unico Hostel Bangkok

Concentration (samatha or samadhi)
 

Often referred to as one-pointedness, this fundamental dimension of meditation essentially involves focusing attention. Most often this is done in Thailand by focusing on the breath or counting the breath, similar to Zen meditation (zazen). Thai monks often refer to this method as phuttho (using the name of the Buddha as a mantra while breathing in and breathing out [haichai khao-haichai ok]). The point of this practice is to still the mind, in a sense arrest the monkey nature of thought that tends to swing from idea to idea just for fun. To put it another way, it is a means of letting the dust settle. If the mind is muddy like a murky pond, the only way for us to really see what is on the bottom is to be quiet long enough to let the silt fall — then if anything moves, we will know what is what. And this brings us to the next step...

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Dynamic Insight (vipassana)

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Once focus of attention has been established and distractions minimized, the meditator is in a position to begin practicing insight meditation. This type of meditation involves a conscious return to activity and observing the movement of the mind. With this method of meditation, The Four Noble Truths are reconsidered as a description of the dynamic thought process. In other words, thoughts arise; there is a reason why thoughts arise (AND persist); thoughts pass away; and there is a way to understand this whole process.

In a sense, insight meditation returns to a stirring of the mind — but with a new awareness. The thought process is freed but is observed with fresh eyes. The dynamic nature of thought is watched and when the flow of thought is impeded, the observer looks at the reasons why a particular thought may be attractive. Attachment or clinging to thought is observed in this way. The root of emotions can be understood by such observation. Some monks liken this process to watching the same movie over and over again. When we cling to thought, for whatever reason, watching its return is like watching reruns, “Oh, I’ve seen this one before....” In this way, emotions and thoughts are not controlled, rather they are grasped as they arise and can be rechanneled or dealt with properly before we become fixated or hung up on them.

While Concentration meditation aims at limitation and control, Dynamic Insight meditation seeks to expand and grow. After observing the movement of thought, many forms of Insight meditation also incorporate physical movement. This could be as subtle as rubbing the thumb and the forefinger together, it may employ hand movements, or it could involve walking back and forth. Walking meditation may look like the activity of a pacing, worried person, but it is quite the opposite. The eventual idea is to walk on from your meditation and have there be no distinction between this “path” and the course of daily life.

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Temple Wat Thammongkol next to Unico offers meditation classes for free. Visit Willpower institute in temple for additional information. Their webpage has also info on Thai language. 

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http://www.samathi.com/2016/

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