The arising of calm depends on right understanding
The “Earth Kasina” (Visuddhimagga IV, 21) is another meditation subject.
Not everybody who looks at a disk of clay can become calm, right
understanding of this subject is indispensable. What is the purpose of the
contemplation of this subject? To lessen clinging to sense objects. The
terms Earth, Water, Fire and Wind represent the “Four Great Elements”
which form up all physical phenomena. Is there not Earth (solidity), Water
(fluidity), Fire (heat) and Wind (motion or oscillation) in all physical
phenomena? Is there not solidity in our body and in all the things around
us? Acharn Sujin said: “Everything around us is just earth in different
shapes and forms. We are attached to it, we fight for it, but it is just earth.”
Thus, if we see that all the things around us and also our body is just earth
it can condition moments of detachment, of calm. We see that the
meditation subject itself is no guarantee for calm, that the arising of calm
depends on right understanding.
Topic 210
15 Jul 2013