Overall Theme of the Book:
Seeing with the Eye of Dharma is about cultivating wisdom (pañña) and understanding through the lens of Buddhist teachings. It’s about learning to see the world, and ourselves, with greater clarity, compassion (karuna), and insight, which, in the process, brings freedom from suffering (dukkha). Thich Nhat Hanh guides the reader to apply the principles of mindfulness (sati), interbeing, and emptiness (sunyata) to everyday life.
Chapter 3: Samadhi Within the Path of Cultivation
- Key Idea: This chapter explores samadhi (concentration, focused attention, or meditative absorption) as an essential aspect of the Buddhist path. It is about showing the need for sustained focus, and for the development of clarity so that we can see the ways the mind (citta) can deceive us.
- Content Summary:
- Samadhi as a Foundation for Wisdom (Pañña): Samadhi is not just about achieving a calm or blissful state, but it serves as a foundation for developing wisdom (pañña) and insight. It provides stability to see clearly.
- Mindfulness (Sati) and Concentration: Mindfulness (sati) is the key to developing samadhi. It helps us to stay present and focused on the object of our attention, without getting distracted. By becoming aware of how the mind (citta) drifts, we are better able to train our attention to stay where we want it.
- Right Concentration (Samma Samadhi): Thich Nhat Hanh emphasizes the importance of “Right Concentration” (Samma Samadhi), which involves choosing wholesome (kusala) objects of attention and avoiding unwholesome (akusala) ones. It is an intentional practice that will often involve choosing to focus on things we may be trying to avoid, or things that may be uncomfortable, in order to assist in transforming our experiences.
- The Hindrances (Nivarana) to Samadhi: This chapter also explores the common hindrances (nivarana) to samadhi, such as sensual desire, ill will, sloth and torpor, restlessness and worry, and doubt. Understanding how to work with these hindrances (nivarana) is essential for developing concentration. The ability to witness a hindrance (nivarana), and let it pass, is an important skill in developing samadhi.
- Cultivating Non-Attachment: By understanding the empty nature (sunyata) of all things we find freedom in non-attachment. By letting go of attachments, desires, and aversions we can better develop concentration, or direct our intention to focus on any situation, even an uncomfortable one.
- Samadhi in Daily Life: The practice of samadhi is not limited to formal meditation sessions. It can be cultivated throughout our daily activities, by bringing focused attention to whatever we are doing. This requires us to move out of automatic ways of responding, and choose, instead, to be fully present with our experience.
- Key Takeaway: By cultivating samadhi as a foundational part of our Buddhist practice, we can transform our minds (citta) and lives, and develop the wisdom (pañña) and insight to transform suffering (dukkha) and move forward on our journey.