The Buddha’s not saying that when you practice renunciation you should simply do without. When you have the alternative pleasure of jhana, you learn how to cultivate it, enjoy it, and then you can use it for getting the mind into even deeper concentration.

"The Buddha’s not saying that when you practice renunciation you should simply do without. He provides you with an alternative pleasure: the pleasure of right concentration, the pleasure of jhana. The absorption you get in when you’re fully inhabiting the body, the sense of ease that comes with the breath, the sense of fullness that comes with the breath as you allow it to spread throughout the whole body: When you have this alternative pleasure, you learn how to cultivate it, enjoy it, and then you can use it for getting the mind into even deeper concentration."

~ Thanissaro Bhikkhu "Sense Pleasures & Sensuality" (Meditations12)

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Breathe in a way that feels refreshing, soothing and comfortable to find a deep and lasting happiness

If you feel that you have pull the breath in, you really have to fight to pull it in, that’s really unnecessary — because the breath is going to come in and go out on its own without your having to fight. In fact, it’s much better for the body if you don’t fight.

Start with what you know. If you don't know what feels good, hold your breath for a while.