Why do Shamata practice?

 Shamata meditation is focusing the mind on an object, usually the breath: this is called Shamata with support.

We then start to notice a gap between the breaths and the thoughts, and that gap expands as we rest in stillness, or nowness. That is Shamata without support (we still keep breathing!)

Although our essence is Buddha nature, most of the time we are pre-occupied. The mind is in turmoil about this and that. So, resting in awareness – let alone pure awareness – is a bit of a leap. However, it’s not a gigantic leap: Shamata is but a short step away from Emptiness.

Once Shamata has become stillness, we are aware of the present moment. The point is, there is still an I present: “I am aware of stillness in this present moment.” That is awareness. Then, this awareness merely looks in on itself and becomes aware that there is just awareness. It finds nothing to hang onto, self identity dissolves and that is Emptiness.

Of course this needs practice, as we will oscillate between clarity and finding things         to do!

The strange thing is that,  in emptiness, thoughts are allowed to arise, but now there is space to let them be. We just do not follow them. So, empty essence isn’t too far away,    is it?

This is why Shamata is so good. I used to think it was a basic practice to be undertaken for years and years, wondering was there something more interesting…or was this it?! But Shamata is the foundation and doorway! It is all about refining the view.

Now for the tricky bit – exhausting karma!

Karma is our habitual patterning and behaviour. This too has to be looked at very carefully, as our patterning is also part of our unique qualities and means of expression.

The trick is to avoid reacting to situations in our habitual way, taking ‘self’ out of the picture, while working for the benefit of others…tricky! This is all about compassion in action.