<p>The goal of the Mahasi method is '<em>vipassana</em>', namely, seeing the arising &amp; passing of phenomena. Therefore, beginners watch the rising &amp; falling of the breath at the abdomen. </p>

<p>Often <em>unskilled</em> meditators force or suppress the mind when trying to practise Anapanasati (awareness of breathing), which results in a 'wrong one-pointedness', which blinds the mind &amp; makes the mind sleepy &amp; foggy. </p>

<p>Genuine or right one-pointedness occurs in jhana, which only meditators skilled in <em>letting-go</em> can genuinely reach. </p>

<p>Jhana cannot be reached by suppression or force, even though many Buddhists claim it can.</p>

<p>Such Buddhists are over-estimating their meditation because a suppressed/forced mind can generate calm &amp; rapture but such momentary rapture is not the true rapture of true jhana.</p>

<p>Therefore, the Mahasi method aims for beginners to keep the mind 'open &amp; awake' rather than 'suppressed, sleepy &amp; foggy', which more closely represents the path taught by the Buddha.   </p>

<p>In conclusion, it is forced/wrong 'one-pointedness' that is counter productive. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-05-16T01:15:14.290Z
2017-05-16T01:21:14.290Z
2017-05-16T01:21:14.290Z
Dhamma Dhatu
<p>Any type of meditation that is worth the name will increase concentration in a beginner. </p>

<p>The body is a good first object of vipassana meditation because it is inescapable and we identify with it so strongly, so automatically all kinds of thoughts also get faced.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-05-15T14:35:06.463Z
2017-05-16T01:43:23.053Z
2017-05-16T01:43:23.053Z
Katinka Hesselink
<p>What is the reason? It seems to be to train concentration while avoiding one pointedness?
Might the lack of one pointedness be counter productive at some point?</p>

<mahasi-sayadaw>
Why does Mahasi Method have the points on the Body to attend to?
# Why does Mahasi Method have the points on the Body to attend to?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-05-15)

What is the reason? It seems to be to train concentration while avoiding one pointedness?
Might the lack of one pointedness be counter productive at some point?

**Tags:** mahasi-sayadaw


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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2017-05-15. Score: 4

Any type of meditation that is worth the name will increase concentration in a beginner.

The body is a good first object of vipassana meditation because it is inescapable and we identify with it so strongly, so automatically all kinds of thoughts also get faced.


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### Answer by username_1 on 2017-05-16. Score: -1

The goal of the Mahasi method is '*vipassana*', namely, seeing the arising & passing of phenomena. Therefore, beginners watch the rising & falling of the breath at the abdomen.

Often *unskilled* meditators force or suppress the mind when trying to practise Anapanasati (awareness of breathing), which results in a 'wrong one-pointedness', which blinds the mind & makes the mind sleepy & foggy.

Genuine or right one-pointedness occurs in jhana, which only meditators skilled in *letting-go* can genuinely reach.

Jhana cannot be reached by suppression or force, even though many Buddhists claim it can.

Such Buddhists are over-estimating their meditation because a suppressed/forced mind can generate calm & rapture but such momentary rapture is not the true rapture of true jhana.

Therefore, the Mahasi method aims for beginners to keep the mind 'open & awake' rather than 'suppressed, sleepy & foggy', which more closely represents the path taught by the Buddha.

In conclusion, it is forced/wrong 'one-pointedness' that is counter productive.


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