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Concentration
"Breath of Awakening" by Namgyal Rinpoche
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In every moment of consciousness samadhi,or concentration, is present. Take out the word 'concentration' and use the word absorption. What is meant is there is absorption in something. When the word concentration is used in the text, it means absorbed in an object conducive to awakening. There are some major signs or objects that are conducive to unfoldment. The texts make a distinction between a supermundane or 'holy' object and a mundane or 'unholy' object. A supermundane object can plough the fields of the depth -- for example, a crystal, a bindu or a marble, a flower or a Buddharupa -- because it speaks of geometric form and the architecture of natural growth. These are considered suitable for meditation because your energy fields manifest growth in the same way. Such objects act like a fishing line to the depth; they can take you into a very deep absorption and into awakening discovery. You could take a broom, for example, or a shoe -- any old object -- and it might be able to do the same thing, but it would be a very slow, turgid way to the depth, not the most efficient way. That is why these would be considered 'unholy' or mundane objects. For example, using the natural ground as an object of contemplation would unfold you faster than using that carpet you are sitting on. The carpet may take you as far as an experience of earth itself but a spot on the rug may put you off. Or if you were meditating on this leaf, the blight on the leaf might put you off, although blight is part of depth dhamma. It is not the blight that puts you off but your view of the blight. Supermundane objects are called 'holy' because they are conducive to liberation. They enable you to remain absorbed upon those subjects of consciousness sufficiently long enough to suggest to the depth mind to produce good material for awakening. Technically speaking, you are always absorbed, even when internal conversations are present. The relevant question to ask is, 'Are you concentrated correctly or conducively for awakening?' A rose does something -- it is an energy field; you pass through many different energy fields. Are you aware of how the rose and other energy fields affect you? This issue is not losing concentration but, more important, staying absorbed on a wholesome object. You could, for example, be absorbed in a conversation that is not leading you anywhere. It is more important to be conducively concentrated, instead of concentrated on a blah state. If you are blah, you are focused on a blah state; you are emotionally transfixed. Where is that consciousness taking you? It's not powerful, that concentration has no merit; it's not punna; it has no strength to carry you to unfoldment. bindu - droplet; secretion; sphere. A symbol of the calm, clear, concentrated mind. Buddharupa - a three-dimensional form of harmonic geometric proportions usually of the Buddha or one of his manifestations. punna - (poonya) merit, power or strength leading to the cessation of hindrances on the path.
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