Shamatha: Meditation for Balanced Living
S1 - Relaxation Comes First
David Oromith · 71 minutes · recorded October 29, 2024
The session opens with settling body, speech and mind in their natural states, which is a preparation, then closes with mindfulness of breathing across the whole body, in which we note whether each breath is long or short. David explains what shamatha means and how excitation and dullness pull the attention in opposite directions. He takes the first of the three qualities, relaxation, and why trying harder only makes agitation worse. The two monks at the river carry the point about holding on.
Distraction and attention Illness and pain Relaxation Mindfulness of breathing Shamatha (calm abiding)