Vipassana Meditation

Lectures on Insight Meditation

by Chanmyay Sayadaw | 22,042 words

Vipassana Meditation: English lectures on Insight Meditation By venerable Chanmyay Sayadaw U Janakabhivamsa....

Part 9 - The Five Faculties Of A Meditator

Pancindriya

A meditator must have these five faculties strong, powerful, sharpened and balanced.

They are:

  1. Saddhindriya: firm and strong faith based on right understanding.
  2. Viriyindriya: Strong and strenuous effort in the practice.
  3. Satindriya: sustained and uninterrupted mindfulness.
  4. Samadhindriya: deep concentration.
  5. Pannindriya: penetrative wisdom, insight.

These faculties must be balanced to attain insight. Faith or confidence must be balanced with wisdom, energy with concentration. Mindfulness need not be balanced with any other factor. It is the most important faculty that leads the other four to their goal.

Interviews or Reporting Sessions

Daily, the yogi has to report to the meditation instructor to check on his practice. Having given a report of what he did and experienced during the days meditation, the instructor will correct, give further instruction or inspire him for further progress. As such, effective communication between them is of extreme importance.

In the retreat, different times were given to each group to report to the Sayadaw.

A yogi should not try to come in before their scheduled time unless he has reason to. On the other hand, it should not be a factor that hinders his meditation, he may come later than scheduled.

When waiting for your turn within the group do not waste time. Sit down and be mindful till called. The next one should get ready beside the one being interviewed.

Yogis should be considerate, especially when there are many other yogis waiting and time is precious. Be concise and to the point.

Do not get excited, nervous or afraid. Be composed and open. Speak clearly and audibly in complete sentences. Do not swallow your words, speak in a jumble or mutter.

Do not wait for remarks. Only after you have narrated all your experiences will any remarks be made.

Listen carefully to the instructions and follow them strictly and diligently. If in doubt, ask.

When asked a question, answer it; do not speak about something else.

Report experiences even though they may seem unimportant to you.

Taking short notes immediately after meditation is helpful but one should not make ita point to remember while meditating as this will disturb concentration.

Come and leave the reporting session mindfully.

Like what you read? Consider supporting this website: