Essentials of Insight Meditation Practice
A Pragmatic Approach to Vipassana
By Venerable Sujiva
THREE MODELS IN THE PROGRESS OF MEDITATION
I would like to postulate three models in the progress of insight meditation, ie, the progress of penetration into the three universal characteristics. The first model is the model of the microscope.
The progress of insight would be like a microscope that is consistently increasing its power of magnification. When the microscope increases its magnification, you can see more detail into the nature of your slide. It is the same thing when you watch the nature of the three universal
characteristics. As insight knowledge grows, reality becomes clearer and clearer. Of course, this does not happen all at once, it slowly increases. This model gives the idea that it does not come from thinking, but from pure, clear and concentrated awareness. There must be intention to see and to experience deeper. If one is just contented to experience what there is, then one may not
go further. One has to push on.
The second model is that of a growing tree, something conical in nature, like a cypress or a spruce. What happens is that this tree, when it grows, must first gain firm and strong roots. If the root system is not strong, then it cannot support the growth of a tall tree. The roots represent the entire good kamma and morality, etc. Once the tree grows, it does so according to certain levels.
The first branches grow, then as it puts out the next higher level; the lower level must expand, and the roots must expand further. When these two levels are more established, then a third level grows.
When the third levels grows, the lower two levels must grow further. This means that a proper base of the lower experiences must be developed further before the higher levels can grow. For example, your concentration must last longer and deeper, before you are able to watch more phenomena.
Therefore, when you watch a certain new experience, you have to watch it longer and clearer before you can watch the deeper ones. For the third level to become stronger, the first and second level must become stronger too. You do not forget the lower levels. This means that there will be a constant repetition of the earlier experiences for some time, before a new experience comes. The lesson to be
learned is that you must have patience.
Essentials of Insight Meditation Practice by Venerable U Sujiva
