LIBERATING CONCENTRATION
back to contemplation of dissolution
This part of the path is about bringing the mind to complete clarity. It functions as a supportive exercise during all stages of the path, and is also the final stage of the path that clarifies the final habits that attach us to craving for the digital world.
As a supportive exercise, this practice exists as the practice of liberating effort. Once full realization of the impermanent, not-self, and dissatisfactory nature of the digital world is realized through the practice of liberating contemplation, the goal is to develop the practice of existing in contentment to perfection, so that the mind can rest at a single point of perfect equanimity without any disturbance as all remaining habitual tendencies to crave digital completion are extinguished.
Concentration is practiced as the deep meditative exercise of being absorbed in the experience of sitting and breathing, and it is practiced in everyday digital activity as the continual practice of being fully awakened to and peacefully content in the present moment.
The meditative practice of concentration is just like the meditative practice of mental effort, only simpler. This exercise assumes the mastery of mental effort.
Sit down in a comfortable position that you can hold for 10-30 minutes.
Set a timer for 10-30 minutes.
Focus your attention on your breathing, paying attention to the breath at the nostrils, at the abdomen, or both. Your goal is to be fully absorbed in sitting and breathing in contentment.
When you notice your mind is wandering away from the breathing, this is the residue of craving for digital experience. When it arises, hone your attention in closer to the stream of breathing, striving to become one with the experience of breathing, not missing a single millisecond of each breath.
Practice in this way until your mind has no inclination to develop any kind of craving for digital experience. When you reach this state of peace, you will be fully liberated from the chains of the digital world.