[OccumCymn]

I accept your relating it to jhana, but I think it is possible to reach a stage of calm abiding meditation without achieving any of the stages of jhana.

Well said woodscooter. This is a more accurate angle on it, as these things can be noted and implemented right from day one. They are simply there. We just need to be open to them.

The Sarah Shaw translation manages to do away with the term "focus" altogether, using 'contemplating'. Very nice.

Aloka-D, I loved the Ajahn Sumedho passage. That is so spot on, there's nothing more to add to it.

Namaste
Kris