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That supreme happiness that is a result of release is attained by the development of Wisdom through the practice of Insight Meditation. Any one of the four fields of resort, that is the four foundations of mindfulness, can be one's object of insight meditation. The four foundations of mindfulness are:-
1.The contemplation of body When one establishes one's mindfulness into one or more of these fields, one's mindfulness begins to develop and go into strength. When mindfulness goes into strength, knowledge will begin to arise. Knowledge rises only to a mind in Samadhi. That is to a mind released from the five hindrances. So in this practice too, as in the case of Serenity Meditation, the mind must be released from the five hindrances prior to the arising of knowledge. Wisdom means to know and see things as they really are. And it is this process of knowing and seeing things as they really are that culminates in the knowledge of the four noble truths. The perceptions of Anicca, Dukkha and Anatta also get developed in this process of insight meditation. It is this knowledge that destroys the fetters from their very roots. It is these fetters that inflame and bring much suffering to the mind. When these fetters are pulled out from their roots they do not arise any more. One is then released from these fetters that binds one to an ocean of misery. And there is no greater happiness than the release from these fetters. In this way, one establishes the practice of the noble eightfold path which will ultimately lead one to the end of suffering. In conclusion, let me summarise what I have so far said, by quoting the Dhammapada. Health is the highest profit, contentment, the highest of riches. trusted (wise) friend is the highest kinsmen. Nibbana is the highest happiness. |