Focusing and Thorough Contemplation (With an Open Mind)

Focusing and Thorough Contemplation (T 7, Burma)

Contemplation by focusing and contemplation by thoroughness are not the same. Focusing refers to attending to the present object as it arises and fitting awareness to it. Thorough contemplation refers to discerning impermanence (anicca) by knowing the condition nature of phenomena and their characteristics.

Clarification on Focusing and Thorough Contemplation

[Note: One should not confuse the usage of “focusing” and “thorough contemplation” as explained by Sayadaw U Jhanenyya. These are essentially the same as watching and observing, or keeping the object in mind (vitakka) together with investigation (vicāra). Both terms are used by Mogok Sayadaw in his Dhamma talks.]

When samādhi is strong, a yogi is able to note phenomena in detail. For example, when noting the rising and falling of the abdomen, there are many aspects that can be noted. Between the beginning, middle, and ending of the falling movement, there are phenomena that arise and cease. Things exist between the beginning, middle, and end of the falling of the abdomen, and these can be known through careful attention.

Here, Sayadaw encourages yogis to study different teachers’ talks and instructions, and to apply them according to one’s own character, verifying the practice through direct personal experience. Therefore, one should not adopt a sectarian view.

Practice in Formal Meditation and Daily Life

There are two aspects of practice:

1. Formal practice, undertaken full-time or during dedicated meditation periods
2. Daily-life practice, in which one maintains proper attention and the ability to reflect wisely

The primary cause of all skillful and unskillful states is attention.

• Proper, right attention (yoniso manasikāra) gives rise to skillful states
• Improper, wrong attention (ayoniso manasikāra) gives rise to unskillful states

(Thus, the entire practice—both in meditation and in daily activities—depends on how attention is applied.)

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