The nine stages of sustained attention

• Placing the mind, continual placement, repeated placement
• Close placement, taming, pacifying
• Thoroughly pacifying, making single-pointed and placement in equipoise
• Explanation of power, type of attention, faults and antidotes at each stage
• Benefits of progressing through the nine stages of sustained attention
• Developing serenity after the ninth stage
• Mental pliancy, physical pliancy, bliss of physical pliancy and bliss of mental pliancy

63 The Nine Stages of Sustained Attention (download)

Contemplation points

1. The Nine Stages of Sustained attention are stages of calming the mind before attaining serenity. Take some time with each of the stages and consider: What does that stage entail? What difficulties/faults can arise in that stage? What are the antidotes to those faults? How does the stage prepare the mind for serenity? Note how each stage builds on the previous one(s).
   • Placing the Mind
   • Continual Placement
   • Repeated Placement
   • Close Placement
   • Taming
   • Pacifying
   • Thoroughly Pacifying
   • Making Single-Pointed
   • Placement in Equipoise
2. Some of the benefits of progressing through the Nine Stages of Sustained Attention are: the strength of our mind and the power of our meditation increase, clarity and stability increase, resulting in mental and physical peace and happiness, our complexion becomes youthful and radiant, we feel light and vigorous, and dependence on coarse food decreases. Consider how these benefits might support the cultivation of serenity?
3. What is pliancy and how does it support attaining serenity?
4. Describe the progression of mental pliancy to physical pliancy to the bliss of physical pliancy and finally to the bliss of mental pliancy. What does the meditator experience in each of these?
5. Kamalasila says, “For you who have cultivated serenity in this way, when your body and mind become pliant and you have mastery over your mind in directing it as you wish, at that time know that you have accomplished serenity.” In light of these teachings, consider what it would be like to have attained serenity? How might it change how you see the world and interact with the people around you?