Finally, we bring the sphere back up about two inches or fi ve centimeters. This is Base 7 [Figure 1.11]. Inside the Dhamma Sphere at Base 7 we see fi ve small spheres which are elements (dhātu). At the front is water (āpo); at the right is earth (pahavī); at the back is fi re (tejo); at the left is wind (vāyo); and at the center is space (ākāsa). There is a small, pure, transparent spot at the center of the space element, called the center.
Why is it called the center? Because human beings are born or die at this center of the sphere. For birth, the refi ned body arrives at this center of this sphere. When the father and mother unite their seed elements (dhātu-dhamma) by having sexual intercourse, their dhātu-dhammas are right at this center (Base 7). They, then, fall back to Base 6 and arise again as a super-bright sphere, ready to be born. This sphere is about the size of an egg yolk and as bright as the sun refl ected in a mirror. That is why this is called the center. It is very important for beings getting born into the human realm. They will be born from this center. Also, beings must pass through this same center to get to Nibbāna. It is the entrance to the paths, fruits and Nibbāna.
Beings ready to die pass through the center in opposite di- rections. Those seeking rebirths pass out. Those seeking cessation pass in and stop there. This is how the cycle of dying and rebirth occurs. Understanding this, we realize that the mind is confused. It actually likes the rebirth cycle. If we stop still at the center, we can end the cycle of rebirth.
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C H A P T E R INTRODUCTION | 31FIGURE 1.11: BASE 7: THE POSITION OF SPHERE
When we stop still, we know directly for ourselves. There is no need to ask anyone else. We know. We understand and make up our mind to stop still at that center – the center of the center. Don’t move left-right-front-back-up-down-out or in. Stop still at the center of the center; ever more and more still. When the mind stops perfectly still, you will see a bright sphere appear – about the size of the sun or the moon.
This is called the “Dhamma Sphere” or “The Foundation of Dhamma Mindfulness Sphere” (Dhammā-nupassanā- satipahāna). It is the Universal Path of Buddhas and all Arahants [Perfect Ones]. All Lord Buddhas and Arahants who enter Nibbāna must go via this path. There is no other path. All must take this path. Some go fast and some go slow. They also differ in accumulated virtue or merit, but the path is always the same. Thus, it is called “One’s Only Path” (ekāyana-magga). To enter this path, the mind must stop still. This seems strange. In our world, to go faster we must take an airplane, boat or car. But, in Dhamma Reality, it is the op-
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C H A P T E R 32 | SAMATHAVIPASSANA MEDITATIONposite; one must stop still. Stopping still, one arrives faster. How strange! One must get the mind to stop still in order to go faster! Stop still at the center of the Dhamma Sphere governing the Human Body. When the mind is properly concentrated, the bright sphere emerges. That bright sphere is the Dhamma Sphere. It is the One’s Only Path (ekāyana-magga) or The First Path (pathama-magga) or the Foundation of Dhamma Mindfulness (Dhammā-nupassanā- satipahāna). It is about the size of the sun or the moon. Stop the mind still at the center of that sphere.
When the mind continues stopping perfectly still at the center-of-the-center over and over again, the meditator will come to another sphere. It is about the same size, located at the center of the Dhammā-nupassanā-satipahāna Sphere. This is called the Sphere of Morality or the Sīla Sphere. Stop still at the center of the Sīla Sphere. When the mind stops perfectly still, one will see an- other Sphere, again about the same size. This is called the Sphere of Concentration or the Samādhi Sphere. Stop still at the center of that Samādhi Sphere. When the mind stops still, you will see yet another Sphere, called the Sphere of Wisdom or the Paññā Sphere
– again, about the same size. Stop still at the center of the Paññā Sphere. When the mind stops still, you will see another Sphere. It is called the Sphere of Transcendence or the Vimutti Sphere. This sphere is even more transparent and refi ned than the others. Stop still at the center of the Vimutti Sphere. When the mind stops per- fectly still, you will see a fi nal sphere, called the Sphere of Insight or the Vimutti-ñāadassana Sphere.
When you stop perfectly still at the center of the Insight Sphere, the refi ned Human Body appears. This is your Spirit Body that goes out dreaming. Upon seeing it, you know immediately that you have seen it before and have gone forth dreaming with it. When you wake up, you do not know where it is. Now, we see it. It is at the center of the Insight (vimutti-ñāadassana) Sphere. [Now, Become that Refi ned Human Body].
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C H A P T E R INTRODUCTION | 331.44 THE REFINED HUMAN BODY
Let the Refi ned Human Body sit in the same position as the outer fl esh body or crude Human Body. The mind of the refi ned Human Body stops still at the center of its sphere governing the refi ned Human Body. When the mind stops properly still, you will see the “Foundation of Dhamma Mindfulness Sphere” (Dhammā- nupassanā-satipahāna) [also called the Dhamma Sphere]. Stop still at the center of this Dhamma Sphere. When the mind stops properly still, you will see the Sīla Sphere. Stop still at the center of the Sīla Sphere. When the mind stops, you will see the Samādhi Sphere. Stop still at the center of the Samādhi Sphere. When the mind stops, you will see the Paññā Sphere. Stop still at the center of the Paññā Sphere. When the mind stops, you will see the Vimutti Sphere. Stop still at the center of the Vimutti Sphere. When the mind stops, you will see the Insight (vimutti-ñāa- dassana) Sphere. Stop still at the center of the Insight Sphere. When the mind stops, you will see the Celestial Body. [Become the Celestial Body.]
1.45 CELESTIAL BODIES
Let the Celestial Body sit in the same position as the refi ned Human Body. The mind of the Celestial Body stops still at the center of its Sphere governing the Celestial Body. When the mind stops properly still, you will see the Dhamma Sphere. Stop still at the cen- ter of this Dhamma Sphere. When the mind stops properly still, you will see the Sīla Sphere. Stop still at the center of the Sīla Sphere. When the mind stops, you will see the Samādhi Sphere. Stop still at the center of the Samādhi Sphere. When the mind stops, you will see the Paññā Sphere. Stop still at the center of the Paññā Sphere. When the mind stops, you will see the Vimutti Sphere. Stop still at the center of the Vimutti Sphere. When the mind stops, you will see the Insight (vimutti-ñāa-dassana) Sphere. Stop still at the center of the Insight Sphere. When the mind stops, you will see the refi ned Celestial Body. [Become the Refi ned Celestial Body.]
34 | SAMATHAVIPASSANA MEDITATION