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Why Meditate
- Mithra Wettimuny
Pleasures of the
Senses - So short lived!
All beings wherever they are seek happiness. Everyone wants to
escape suffering. The only difference is that the method of escape varies.
In the human world, which belongs to the plane of the senses, it is normal
for beings to seek the pleasures of the senses as a means to happiness.
Pleasures of the senses means that pleasure derived by indulging in one
or more of the five strands of sense pleasures, ie., sights, sounds, smells,
tastes, touches. However, the pleasures derived from these senses never
fulfills ones anticipations. It lasts only for a very short while. It
becomes otherwise very rapidly. It is always accompanied with some degree
of unsatisfactoriness owing to the fact that one or more of the five
hindrances are always present in the mind. Hence, a more observant
person ultimately finds the pleasures of the senses very disenchanting.
Happiness born of mental concentration
There is another kind of happiness. This is very much refined and
superior to the happiness born of the five senses. This is the happiness
born of mental concentration. It is free of any restlessness and keeps
one's mind calm and well-collected as it is brought about by setting aside
the five hindrances temporarily. It also lasts much longer than those
pleasures of the senses. Those beings who experience this type of happiness
realize and understand how much coarse the pleasures of the senses are.
Those beings who live in the world of form (Brahmas) live experiencing
this kind of happiness. However, as this is also brought about by conditions,
this type of happiness is also impermanent.
Dimming out the ulimate happiness
There is yet another kind of happiness. There is nothing more supreme
or excellent than this kind of happiness. This is that happiness that
is a result of dimming-out or release. Let me give you an example to make
it clear to you. Behaviours like greed, anger, jealousy, fear or worry
brings much unhappiness to anyone. If for instance such behaviours were
not to arise anymore in one's mind, then there is a happiness one experiences
as a result of the absence or the non-arising of such unpleasant behaviours.
One is released from such thorns that torture the mind and then one enjoys
the fruit of that release. This is the meaning of what the Buddha referred
to as Nibbana. Those who experience this and realize it for themselves
know fully well that there is nothing beyond.
Fruits of Serenity Meditaion
Supreme Happiness: the fruit
of Insight Meditation
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