Dhamma Talks > eBook > Progress of Insight, Part 1 (30.9.92)

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Progress of Insight, Part 1 (30.9.92)

(Excerpt) In this stage of insight knowledge, that is Paccaya Pariggaha Nana, Insight Knowledge of Causality, we still realize the specific or individual characteristics of bodily and mental processes together with its cause. It is at this stage that we can realize the whole world arises dependent on cause and effect. This stage is also called Purification of Insight by Overcoming Doubt because you have thoroughly realized cause and effect of mental and physical phenomena through your personal experience of them.

When we proceed with our practice, gradually mindfulness becomes more powerful and more continuous, the concentration becomes deeper. Then we come to realize the common or general characteristics of body-mind processes at this third stage of Insight Knowledge. At the two previous stages of insight we realize the specific or individual characteristics of body-mind processes together with its cause. Then at this third stage of insight knowledge, we see the general or common characteristics of mental or physical phenomena more clearly. But at this stage we have a lot of pain; we suffer from a great deal of pain, physical discomfort such as aching, stiffening, numbness and so on.

When a pain is observed then we have to observe it more attentively. If it is possible, get into the centre of the pain and observe it. Then the pain becomes severer and severer. Before the first pain has disappeared, there is another pain or physical discomfort arising. Then we have to note it, we have to deal with it with utmost energy, more energetically and attentively, going into the centre of the pain as much as possible. But before this pain has disappeared, another discomfort, say itching sensation, comes up. In this way at this stage of insight knowledge, it is called Sammasana nana, knowledge of comprehension. The insight knowledge comprehends all three characteristics of existence of mental and physical phenomena.

Then what we know here is suffering. When we see the mental and physical processes more deeply and more clearly, then we come to see the pain's explosion or disappearance, gradually disintegrating. After that there is another pain or discomfort. Then we note it, we deal with it energetically, observing it precisely. Gradually discomfort decreases and then it passes away or disappear. Sometimes it abruptly disappears; sometimes it gradually disappears; sometimes it disintegrates gradually; sometimes it is dispersing, but what we know is the pain has gone. It is not everlasting. It is also subject to impermanence.

Then we come to realize impermanency of both unpleasant physical and mental sensation. And also we come to realize Dukkha, suffering in the sense of Dukkha. But when we very clearly see very swift arising and passing away of the unpleasant sensation in the pain which is very precisely and attentively observed, then we come to realize the suffering, Dukkha in the sense of being constantly oppressed by arising and passing away. Then we don't have any idea of a person or a being, or a self or soul. Also we come to realize Anatta. There is no everlasting self or soul, person or being. What really exists is the process of mental and physical phenomena which are arising and passing away one after another.

But at this stage of insight knowledge, that is insight knowledge of comprehension, Sammasana nana, we have to be patient with physical discomfort such as pain, aching, stiffening, numbness and so on. Unless we are patient with it, we do not see the inner nature, that is their common characteristics and we cannot overcome it. When we have thoroughly realized this suffering in the sense of impermanence, suffering and impersonal nature, then gradually physical discomfort becomes decreasing, subsides. We don't have any painful sensation which is unbearable at the end of this third stage, your mind becomes fresh and energetic because there is no pain or little pain which is not very severe or very strong, so you can concentrate your mind well on each mental state or physical process which is arising at that moment. So concentration becomes deeper and deeper, mindfulness also becomes sharper.

Then you come to realize appearance and disappearance of mental states or physical processes which are observed at that moment very clearly. So you have attained the fourth insight knowledge of arising and passing away of Nama and Rupa. But because you have passed the very difficult stage you become energetic, happy, peaceful. The more you note the obejct, the deeper the concentration becomes. Then as the mind becomes calmer, you get into a stage of meditational experience where you feel everything is good. It is at this stage where you may be caught up and couldn't go up the higher stages of insight knowledge. So may all of you strive your best not to be attached to any good or bad experience, realizing appearance and disappearance of everything, impermanency of mental and physical phenomena and achieve your goal.

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