<p>the way to set the citta into samadhi has nothing to do with concentrating on an object. at best concentration is ''alertness''. </p>

<p>The way to set the citta into samadhi is first to be good at sila, meaning to be good at ''mindfulness'', then to use right view to transform this ''alertness'' into samadhi.</p>

<p>the buddha explains to nanda how to be good at alertness here <a href="https://suttacentral.net/an8.9/en/bodhi" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://suttacentral.net/an8.9/en/bodhi</a></p>

<p>then the buddha explains to upali how to set the citta into right samadhi here <a href="http://obo.genaud.net/dhamma-vinaya/ati/an/10_tens/an10.099.than.dto.htm" rel="nofollow noreferrer">http://obo.genaud.net/dhamma-vinaya/ati/an/10_tens/an10.099.than.dto.htm</a></p>

<blockquote>
  <p>"Having abandoned these five hindrances—imperfections of awareness
  that weaken discernment—then, quite secluded from sensuality, secluded
  from unskillful qualities, he enters &amp; remains in the first jhāna:
  rapture &amp; pleasure born of seclusion, accompanied by directed thought
  &amp; evaluation.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>in details and summarized, <a href="https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/an/an11/an11.002.than.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/an/an11/an11.002.than.html</a></p>

<blockquote>
  <p>"For a person endowed with virtue, consummate in virtue, there is no
  need for an act of will, 'May freedom from remorse arise in me.' It is
  in the nature of things that freedom from remorse arises in a person
  endowed with virtue, consummate in virtue.</p>
  
  <p>"For a person free from remorse, there is no need for an act of will,
  'May joy arise in me.' It is in the nature of things that joy arises
  in a person free from remorse.</p>
  
  <p>"For a joyful person, there is no need for an act of will, 'May
  rapture arise in me.' It is in the nature of things that rapture
  arises in a joyful person.</p>
  
  <p>"For a rapturous person, there is no need for an act of will, 'May my
  body be serene.' It is in the nature of things that a rapturous person
  grows serene in body.</p>
  
  <p>"For a person serene in body, there is no need for an act of will,
  'May I experience pleasure.' It is in the nature of things that a
  person serene in body experiences pleasure.</p>
  
  <p>"For a person experiencing pleasure, there is no need for an act of
  will, 'May my mind grow concentrated.' It is in the nature of things
  that the mind of a person experiencing pleasure grows concentrated.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Puthujjanas who lack sati will never understand this part</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>''secluded from sensuality, secluded from unskillful qualities''</p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-20T06:48:23.390Z
2019-01-20T06:48:23.390Z
Nachtflug
<p>Jhana is not "access" concentration. Jhana is called "attainment" concentration.</p>

<p>Focusing on the feeling of feet on the ground may result in access concentration (because the mind may be relatively <strong>open, pliant &amp; non-attached</strong> when focusing on the feeling of the feet) however: </p>

<ol>
<li><p>The focus should not be overly forced or rigid because, for access concentration to occur, the mind must have the pliancy to fall into the body. </p></li>
<li><p>When access concentration occurs, the mind will automatically experience the breathing.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Methods such as feeling the feet on the ground; listening to silence via the ears; or sitting with a very quiet non-doing non-ambitious mind are often more effective in manifesting access concentration (than clumsy direct attempts at watching breathing). Because the Buddha actually taught his Path is the abandonment of craving, often practise is <em>counter-intuitive</em>. </p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-20T04:13:08.200Z
So once you reach access concentration should using the feet for  example, should you shift the object to the breath?
NebulousReveal
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-20T04:59:37.633Z
No. There is no need for you to "shift". But if the mind shifts, you should allow the mind to shift to the breath.
Dhamma Dhatu
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-20T05:00:25.583Z
If you maintain the idea that YOU must control the meditation, access concentration won't be attained.
Dhamma Dhatu
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-20T05:05:29.310Z
I notice the breathing more after focusing on my feet  for sometime. Like it becomes more apparent. That is usual right?
NebulousReveal
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-20T06:11:44.387Z
Yes. PLAY HARD TO GET. Stay with your feet. Allow your mind to "notice" the breathing (but do not pursue the breathing). Just keep your mind gently with your feet so your mind remains broad, open & calm. When breathing becomes more apparent; remain calm. No need to "shift". Just let the mind notice the breathing but stay with your feet; in a balanced way. Regards
Dhamma Dhatu
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-20T19:16:08.340Z
Any opinions about prescription drugs and meditation (e,g, adderal)? Should you discontinue them?
NebulousReveal
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-21T00:57:34.887Z
Thank you PN. I am not a psychiatrist. I think you could try to practise meditation and, if you get strong stable calming results, you can discuss reduction or discontinuing of medication with your doctor. Kind regards. DD
Dhamma Dhatu
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-20T03:52:30.317Z
2019-01-20T04:03:31.137Z
2019-01-20T04:03:31.137Z
Dhamma Dhatu
<p>I feel like focusing on the feeling of my feet on the ground is easier than focusing on the sensations of the breath. Is this a viable object for access concentration/jhana?</p>

<jhana><samatha>
Can you focus on the feeling of your body on the chair for reaching the jhanas?
# Can you focus on the feeling of your body on the chair for reaching the jhanas?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2019-01-20)

I feel like focusing on the feeling of my feet on the ground is easier than focusing on the sensations of the breath. Is this a viable object for access concentration/jhana?

**Tags:** jhana, samatha


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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2019-01-20. Score: 1

the way to set the citta into samadhi has nothing to do with concentrating on an object. at best concentration is ''alertness''.

The way to set the citta into samadhi is first to be good at sila, meaning to be good at ''mindfulness'', then to use right view to transform this ''alertness'' into samadhi.

the buddha explains to nanda how to be good at alertness here <https://suttacentral.net/an8.9/en/bodhi>

then the buddha explains to upali how to set the citta into right samadhi here <http://obo.genaud.net/dhamma-vinaya/ati/an/10_tens/an10.099.than.dto.htm>

> "Having abandoned these five hindrances—imperfections of awareness
> that weaken discernment—then, quite secluded from sensuality, secluded
> from unskillful qualities, he enters & remains in the first jhāna:
> rapture & pleasure born of seclusion, accompanied by directed thought
> & evaluation.

in details and summarized, <https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/an/an11/an11.002.than.html>

> "For a person endowed with virtue, consummate in virtue, there is no
> need for an act of will, 'May freedom from remorse arise in me.' It is
> in the nature of things that freedom from remorse arises in a person
> endowed with virtue, consummate in virtue.
>
> "For a person free from remorse, there is no need for an act of will,
> 'May joy arise in me.' It is in the nature of things that joy arises
> in a person free from remorse.
>
> "For a joyful person, there is no need for an act of will, 'May
> rapture arise in me.' It is in the nature of things that rapture
> arises in a joyful person.
>
> "For a rapturous person, there is no need for an act of will, 'May my
> body be serene.' It is in the nature of things that a rapturous person
> grows serene in body.
>
> "For a person serene in body, there is no need for an act of will,
> 'May I experience pleasure.' It is in the nature of things that a
> person serene in body experiences pleasure.
>
> "For a person experiencing pleasure, there is no need for an act of
> will, 'May my mind grow concentrated.' It is in the nature of things
> that the mind of a person experiencing pleasure grows concentrated.

Puthujjanas who lack sati will never understand this part

> ''secluded from sensuality, secluded from unskillful qualities''


---

### Answer by username_2 on 2019-01-20. Score: 1

Jhana is not "access" concentration. Jhana is called "attainment" concentration.

Focusing on the feeling of feet on the ground may result in access concentration (because the mind may be relatively **open, pliant & non-attached** when focusing on the feeling of the feet) however:

1. The focus should not be overly forced or rigid because, for access concentration to occur, the mind must have the pliancy to fall into the body.
2. When access concentration occurs, the mind will automatically experience the breathing.

Methods such as feeling the feet on the ground; listening to silence via the ears; or sitting with a very quiet non-doing non-ambitious mind are often more effective in manifesting access concentration (than clumsy direct attempts at watching breathing). Because the Buddha actually taught his Path is the abandonment of craving, often practise is *counter-intuitive*.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: So once you reach access concentration should using the feet for  example, should you shift the object to the breath?  
> **username_2**: No. There is no need for you to "shift". But if the mind shifts, you should allow the mind to shift to the breath.  
> **username_2**: If you maintain the idea that YOU must control the meditation, access concentration won't be attained.  
> **username_0**: I notice the breathing more after focusing on my feet  for sometime. Like it becomes more apparent. That is usual right?  
> **username_2**: Yes. PLAY HARD TO GET. Stay with your feet. Allow your mind to "notice" the breathing (but do not pursue the breathing). Just keep your mind gently with your feet so your mind remains broad, open & calm. When breathing becomes more apparent; remain calm. No need to "shift". Just let the mind notice the breathing but stay with your feet; in a balanced way. Regards  
> **username_0**: Any opinions about prescription drugs and meditation (e,g, adderal)? Should you discontinue them?  
> **username_2**: Thank you PN. I am not a psychiatrist. I think you could try to practise meditation and, if you get strong stable calming results, you can discuss reduction or discontinuing of medication with your doctor. Kind regards. DD  

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