Doubts, Progress And Confidence In Bhavana.

Though continuance of the topic of 'Abstinence', as a second part of it was postponed last time, here again it is delayed for tomorrow, to deal with an essential part in the practice of Bhavana, in order to help the practitioner.

There are five hindrances to the practice of Bhavana, and Doubt is one of them. Doubt would take place, due to the perception, that there is no progress in the practice of Bhavana, and in the lack of interest for the practice, for the same reason. Hence, it is important to measure and understand the progress in Bhavana, and its beneficial outcomes within, and without, to oneself as well as to others, in order to do away with the doubt gradually.

Doubt is not a single item, where one can dispel it by removing it once and for all. It is a bundle of uncertainties, where every single items of it should be removed one by one, gradually and progressively, as one continues to practice.

When one is able to see the progress in Bhavana, where one feels that he is advancing day by day, and also benefiting from the developed states of one's mind, within and without, his self confidence would improve, and his confidence and faith in the practice and its possible future outcome also would increase. This will enhance the interest and motivation in the practice.

The first and foremost, the way of removing the doubt is to, one to be able to see the progress in the Bhavana itself, where one should not think of the final result, that is getting established in and maintaining 'Sati' on the breathing, but there should be an awareness of the gradual progress taking place everyday. One would have been able to sit for the practice, only for ten minutes, in the first week. With the practice and with the relevant Adistana (Determination. Resolution), one would have been able to sit for 20 minuets now, and the depth of the 'Attention' would have increased, and breathing would have become more calmer, and it would have become more rhythmic, all of which points to the progress.

What are the other indicators of the progress in Bhavana, which would help to increase the confidence in Bhavana? Which would help to reduce the doubts in Bhavana?

There would be an increase in the number of incidence taking place, in accordance with the Adistana made. This would not only increase the confidence in Bhavana, it will increase in the confidence in Adistana as well, further developing the ability and the skill of the Adistana. Here one would see how Adistana helps to develop mental states of 'Attention' and to maintain it, and how the Adistana helps in, putting away the distractions, etc., thus seeing the progress in the practice of Bhavana. Which helps to reduce the doubt, whether, one is progressing towards the goal.

Then there would be further increase in the duration in sitting, week by week, which is progress. Then a time would come, where the practitioner would remain 'Attentive' to the breathing, uninterrupted, at least for a few seconds, say for a 15 seconds, where he would feel joy and happiness. But this may not be a perfect 'Sati', but only an attention, but it would increase the Confidence and reduce the doubt.

Though, it may take some time to come to the perfect 'Sati', but everyday one can detect the progress plus increased Happiness and Joy, increased 'attention', more calmness in the thinking, less thinking, etc., where doubt is reduced.

Another way of removing doubts from the beginning of the practice, is to get the benefits of the developed mind state, in the use of worldly activities, without. How can one do this?

It is by making Adistana to improve one's life in all their daily activities. When one comes to the end of the Bhavana practice in each session of it, and before getting up, but while in that deep state of Bhavana, one should make Adistana to improve one's personality, as well as to overcome difficulties in day to day life. For examples one can make Adistana as follows:-

A. Will not feel inferior or superior, in all situations. (it would be better not to use the word 'I')

B. Will be confident in all situations.

c. No fear will overcome me, in any situation.

D. No anger would arise, whatever the situation.

E. Would be kind to others.

F. would feel happy always.

etc,, etc.

But one should make only about a few of Adistana at a time, say about five of them, choosing Adistana, which are most important at present.

When these Adistana start to materialize, increasing the ability of the same as well as the Bhavana, the doubt and uncertainty will get reduced, and the confidence will increase, where one will be able to keep the interest and the motivation. But more on this topic of doubt will be discussed in the future.

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