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**Bondjrno** · 12-18-2010, 04:30 AM

Dear friends,

Regarding the Anapanasati Sutta have you any thoughts about how, in this context we actually bring to mind, understand, and focus on inconstancy, dispassion, cessation and relinquishment?

Can't add much to Woodscooter's answer but I have my own non-authoritative 'take' on it.

Inconstancy, dispassion, cessation and relinquishment are the experiential stages of jhana. By that, I don't mean anything we have to fabricate, acquire or achieve, rather it is 'done' - just comes to pass as part of the process.

Inconstancy I see as the ferment of thoughts, sensations etc. one encounters in meditation (not exclusively but in this context). It's a no-brainer, you will encounter this.

Dispassion and relinquishment are the correct response. Just drop it, you don't own it... there's nothing to do with it, no opinion to hold about it. It's not yours.

Cessation will follow if you do this. I don't mean necessarily the final complete cessation big 'B' thing but cessation of the inconstancy you have just observed. It just disperses into clarity. It is released.

The word "focus" is a bit off experientially IMHO. I would say 'take note of'. "Focus" is a bit tight a bit 'gotta do something with/about this'. Or so it comes across to me.

Namaste
Kris

12-18-2010, 04:30 AM	#8
Bondjrno Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 354 Senior Member	Dear friends, Regarding the Anapanasati Sutta have you any thoughts about how, in this context we actually bring to mind, understand, and focus on inconstancy, dispassion, cessation and relinquishment? Can't add much to Woodscooter's answer but I have my own non-authoritative 'take' on it. Inconstancy, dispassion, cessation and relinquishment are the experiential stages of jhana. By that, I don't mean anything we have to fabricate, acquire or achieve, rather it is 'done' - just comes to pass as part of the process. Inconstancy I see as the ferment of thoughts, sensations etc. one encounters in meditation (not exclusively but in this context). It's a no-brainer, you will encounter this. Dispassion and relinquishment are the correct response. Just drop it, you don't own it... there's nothing to do with it, no opinion to hold about it. It's not yours. Cessation will follow if you do this. I don't mean necessarily the final complete cessation big 'B' thing but cessation of the inconstancy you have just observed. It just disperses into clarity. It is released. The word "*focus*" is a bit off experientially IMHO. I would say 'take note of'. "Focus" is a bit tight a bit 'gotta do something with/about this'. Or so it comes across to me. Namaste Kris
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