Thesis statement
By examining both canonical and modern sources about the Buddhist tradition, I will explore the role of Anapanasati as a meditation method for achieving the state of nirvana and enlightenment.
On the whole, one can say that this technique emphasizes by mental and physical experiences through which a person can eventually become liberated from his/her earthly desires and enter the condition which is called mindfulness (Alexander 2010). These are the main aspects that I would like to discuss in this paper.
This discussion is important for better understanding the practices that Buddhism involves and the major goals that a person intends to attain through Anapanasati.
The main elements of Anapanasati
Overall, it is possible to argue that Anapanasati is one of the mediation techniques that exist in various Buddhist traditions (Melton 2011, 34). This method can be employed by people living in different countries.
It should be taken into account that the descriptions of this method are present in canonical treatises such as Satipatthana Sutta which is a source that is accepted by Buddhists throughout the world (Soma and Pereira 2004, 7).
Furthermore, a variation of this technique is described in later texts such as The Three Pillars of Zen which is also very popular among the adherents of Buddhism (Kapleau 1989). It is vital to remember that this technique is now widely adopted by many people who are interested in Buddhism.
Moreover, the scholars and adepts of Buddhism believe that Anapanasati is vital part of this tradition (Boccio 2010; Burke & Marconett 2008). This is one of the points that can be made.
On the whole, Anapanasati is related to several elements that are critical for the supporters of the Buddhist tradition. In particular, a practitioner should pay attention to the experiences of the body and one’s mental processes. Furthermore, he/she should focus on such aspects as cessation, dispassion, or inconstancy.
Finally, an individual should pay attention to such a task as the release of one’s mind from the daily desires (Emmanuel 2013; Wynne 2007).
The most important goal is to free ones consciousness from such concepts as “mine” and “I” because they prevent a person from attaining the state of enlightenment and mindfulness (Odin 2011, 229; Chiesa & Malinowski, 2011).
These are the main objective that a follower of Buddhism should achieve through this technique as well as other practices.
The main aspect of this method is that a person uses his breathing in order to control his/her mental processes. At first, it includes a series of breathing exercises that enable a person to gain control of his/her physical experiences.
For example, at the beginning, a practitioner should count both exhalations and inhalations (Emmanuel 2013). To a great extent, this activity is aimed at preventing a person from thinking about the mundane aspects of life. The third state of this method is primarily related to the emotions of a person.
In particular, he/she should experience rapture as well as bliss; however, the main objective is to tranquilize the emotional sensations of a person; otherwise, he/she not become free from the mundane life (Chiesa & Malinowski, 2011; Grossman 2010). A person, who can cope with this task, can proceed to later stages.
Finally, a individual should think about such themes as the rejection of lust, power, money, and so forth. In this way, he/she can approach the state of enlightenment which is probably the ultimate goal of Buddhism.
Close attention should be paid to such a notion as mindfulness which can be explained as a state at which an individual is no longer concerned with such things as glory, power, money, sexual desire, and so forth (Alexander 2010; Rapgay and Bystrisky 2009).
In this way, he/she can reach Nirvana. Overall, the state of mindfulness is important for Buddhism since this term throws light on the intentions of people who follow this religious and philosophical movement. These are the critical dimensions of Anapanasati and its influence on a practitioner.
As it has been said before, this method has been adopted in various traditions. For example, one can speak about the Theravada tradition, Indo-Tibetan traditions. There are certain variations that should not be overlooked by the practitioners.
For example, according to canonical texts, a person should go to a forest and sit under a tree (Soma and Pereira 2004, 232). However, such a requirement is not always met (Kapleau 1989, 181). This is one of the main aspects that should be considered by scholars and people who are interested in Buddhism.
Nevertheless, despite these differences the emphasis on breathing, emotional tranquility and mindfulness is essential for people who prefer Anapanasati as a way of meditation.
On the whole, scholars, who examine Buddhist rituals, believe that Anapanasati is supposed to affect both body and mind of a person (Ling, 2008; Woodhouse 1999).
These elements should not be separated from one another since this separation can undermine the main aspects of this meditation. This is one of the issues that should not be disregarded when one discusses various aspects of meditation in Buddhism.
Thus, one can argue that, Anapanasati is an important part of the rituals in Buddhism. It is one of the ways through which a person can attain nirvana and enlightenment. Certainly, one can argue that Anapanasati is the only meditation technique that is used nowadays in many countries.
However, this method should certainly be considered by people who practice Buddhism or study various dimensions of this tradition. These are the main arguments that can be put forward while discussing such a meditation methods as Anapanasati.
Reference List
Alexander, James. 2010. Thai Meditations: An Introduction to Buddhism and Mindfulness. Boston: Booksmango.
The author of this book provides an explanation of such a notion as mindfulness and importance for the followers of the Buddhist traditions. I have used this source to elaborate many of my arguments.
Boccio, Frank. 2010. Mindfulness Yog: The Awakened Union of Breath, Body, and Mind (Large Print 16pt). London: ReadHowYouWant.
This book contains sections about the use of breathing techniques in different traditions of Buddhism. The authors of this work explain how Anapanasati connects physiological and spiritual aspects and this information has helped to discuss the main goals and principles of Anapanasati.
Burke, Adam, and Sean Marconett. 2008. “The Role of Breath in Yogic Traditions: Alternate Nostril Breathing.” Biofeedback 36, (2): 67.
This article is valuable because it enables the reader to understand the influence of Anapanasati on other meditation practices used by Buddhist throughout the world.
Chiesa, Alberto, and Peter Malinowski. 2011. “Mindfulness-based approaches: are they all the same?.” Journal Of Clinical Psychology 64 (4): 404-424.
This article contains a survey of different meditation methods. Furthermore, this article will be used for explaining the goals of Anapanasati and the steps that a practitioner should take.
Emmanuel, Steven. 2013. A Companion to Buddhist Philosophy. Philadelphia: John Wiley & Sons.
This book is valuable for me because it gave me in-depth insights into various mediation techniques used in Buddhism. This book has provided me with some introductory ideas about Anapanasati.
Grossman, Paul. 2010. “Mindfulness for Psychologists: Paying Kind Attention to the Perceptible.” Mindfulness 1 (2): 87.
This source has helped me to discuss the emotional aspects of Anapanasati and its impact on a person who is engaged in this form of meditation.
Kapleau, Phillip. 1989. The Three Pillars of Zen. Boston: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group.
This source is aimed at describing various aspects of Zen Buddhism. This book has enabled me to learn more about the variations of Anapanasati technique and application in Zen Buddhism.
Ling, Ong. 2008. “Anatomy; Physiology from a Buddhist Perspective: The kinesthetic Buddha, human form and function—Part 1: Breathing Torso.” Journal Of Bodywork & Movement Therapies 11 (22): 214-222.
This article explains the importance of breathing exercises for Anapanasati and similar mediation practices. With the help of this source, I was able to argue that Anapanasati incorporates both spiritual and physical aspects of human experience.
Melton, John. 2011. Religious Celebrations: An Encyclopedia of Holidays, Festivals, Solemn Observances, and Spiritual Commemorations. New York: ABC-CLIO.
This book is aimed at discussing ritualistic practices existing in various religious and philosophical traditions. This source can give the reader a general idea about the practices existing in Buddhism, especially meditation methods.
Odin, Steve. 2011. “Buddhadāsa: Theravada Buddhism and Modernist Reform in Thailand.” Philosophy East & West 61 (1): 221-231.
This source throws light on the mediation practices used Theravada Buddhism and more modern versions of this philosophical and religious tradition. This source is important for explaining the impact of Anapanasati on various movements in Buddhism.
Rapgay, Lobsang, and Alexander Bystrisky. 2009. “Classical Mindfulness.” Annals Of The New York Academy Of Sciences 1172 (13), 148-154.
This article has been of great use to me because in this way, I was able to elaborate the concept of mindfulness and its relevance to Anapanasati. This is why this source has attracted by my attention.
Soma, Bhikku, and Cassius Pereira. 2004. The Way of Mindfulness: The Satipatthana Sutta 1949. New York: Kessinger Publishing.
This book will be used as a major source for describing Anapanasati as a mediation method. This source can tell about the goals of this technique.
Woodhouse, Mark. 1999. “Painted Cakes: Building a Path to Buddhism.” Library Journal 124 (16): 57-61.
I have used this article for explaining the connections between Anapanasati and the objectives that a Buddhist strives to attain.
Wynne, Alexander. 2007. The Origin of Buddhist Meditation. New York: Routledge.
This book depicts the main objectives of mediation techniques in Buddhism.
This source has been of great use to me since I used it for discussing the emotional state that a Buddhist should achieve through various rituals.