Comparing a Mind Present in the Body with a Mind That Has Drifted

Before closing the eyes, Phra Ajarn Suraphong has us cultivate right mindfulness by bringing the mind to rest in the body, then noticing the difference from moments earlier when it wasn't. Notice clearly how it feels when the mind rests in the body, and how it feels when it doesn't — even though we can still talk to people, walk around, and get things done, the mind isn't actually present. Compare the two states clearly.

When the mind rests in the body, we can control things, feel balanced, perceive clearly, and rest in the calm that already exists within us. Notice the many differences between having the mind present and not, comparing back and forth repeatedly — this builds appreciation for staying present, and over time we grow familiar with it.

Focused-Point Awareness or Whole-Body Awareness

Once the mind is resting in the body, we can attend either to one specific point or to the whole body at once. The latter makes the mind quicker and more nimble.

Focused-point awareness — for instance, watching the breath, knowing the in-breath and the out-breath — lets us settle firmly and continuously on that one point, staying aware without lapsing.

Whole-body awareness means sensing every part at once. Strictly speaking the mind still registers one point at a time, but when we deliberately set the intention to know everything together, the mind becomes sharper and quicker. Simply set the intention to sense the whole body at once, from the crown of the head to the soles of the feet — wherever the slightest movement occurs, awareness catches it instantly. This kind of practice sharpens mindfulness itself. There is a specific mental factor responsible for this — clear comprehension (สัมปชัญญะ) that knows all at once — and the more we practice whole-body awareness, the more that faculty gets exercised and strengthened.

Whichever we choose — a single point or the whole body — the drawing-in of pure energy proceeds continuously either way, clearing away the defilement that clouds the mind, bit by bit.

Settling into the Crystal Image and the Recitation "Samma Arahang"

When the eyes tire, let the eyelids close gently, just enough light passing between the lashes, as our teacher advised — resting midway between the inner and outer worlds. The felt sense settles around the belly, then moves in about a hand's width to the center of the body. Set a mental marker there for awareness to rest on — a crystal sphere or a crystal Buddha image, whichever we prefer.

Once settled within that image, use the recitation "Samma Arahang," repeated steadily, staying aware without lapsing. The signal of the meditation object must be clear and continuous; take it one syllable at a time, staying anchored to each word. Whatever we anchor our attention to, we can settle into. Once awareness is established, ignorance — the state of not-knowing — falls away. This awareness draws in the pure energy called merit, flowing in continuously, to clear away the defilement that causes trouble and hardship in many forms.

At the center of this pure energy are also embedded subtle treasures — form, wealth, good qualities, followers, honor, praise, happiness, the path and fruit of Nibbana, and the Dhammakaya knowledge — all complete within the sphere of merit. As merit flows in continuously, this stream of treasure flows continuously into us as well.

The Fineness of Time and the Five Spiritual Faculties

Once we can settle in every present moment, the next step is refining that settledness further — refinement arising from time itself. The finer our mind, the finer our access to time. Between one second and the next there remains a gap; whichever force develops more refinement can claim more of that gap.

As we keep knowing without lapsing, awareness draws pure energy into the brightness at its center. We come to know the state appearing right in front of us through clear comprehension penetrating it directly — however clear comprehension knows, the mind knows the same. Once mindfulness settles on something, clear comprehension follows to know it fully.

Radiating Loving-Kindness and Dedicating Merit

Once awareness has drawn in a continuous stream of pure energy and subtle treasure, dedicate this merit to our ancestors — parents, siblings, grandparents, teachers who have helped us, guardian spirits, caretakers, and all beings we may have wronged, our karmic counterparties (คู่กรรมคู่เวร) — asking mutual forgiveness so all may receive this merit equally.

Then set the wholesome intention for all beings and the world: may they be free from suffering and find happiness; may those with much suffering have less, and those with much happiness have ever more. Extend this heart full of loving-kindness to cover our home, then our neighbors, village, sub-district, district, province, every region of the country, Thailand and its neighbors, until it covers the whole world, turning it into a crystal world — bright, cool, clean, and pure. May the devas, tree spirits, sky spirits, and heavenly beings of every realm, as well as hell-beings, hungry ghosts, and animals, likewise be free from suffering and find happiness.

Dedicating the Heart and Setting the Blueprint for Success

Extend this loving-kindness further, out into the vastness of the cosmos, covering countless stars and worlds throughout boundless galaxies without limit. Then gather the mind, resting still at the center of the Triple Gem, at the center of our great teachers, and at the center of the boundless Nibbana.

Using this auspicious moment, set an intention — a blueprint for success — that our whole path of building perfections be filled with happiness, growth, knowledge, purity, and the fulfillment of every good wish. May we be freed from calamity, karmic obstruction, and every hardship; may greed, hatred, delusion, craving, wrong view, and clinging be extinguished without remainder; may we gain the eye of Dhamma, reach the Dhammakaya, enjoy good health, and carry unfailing resolve toward the path to Nibbana; and in whatever life comes next, may we be born where building perfections continues freely. The session closes with a chant invoking the protection and blessing of the Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha.