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flower or something wholesome that you can easily remember.] is located inside at the center of the body. Maybe you will find you can imagine nothing, but later you will be able to visualize or even see something with increasing clarity. Allow your mind to come to a rest at the very center of the object that you imagined. By using the slightest amount of effort, you will find that this object becomes brighter and clearer. Balance is the key. If you use too much effort, you will find that it gives you tension, or perhaps even a headache. If you use too little, you will be unable to sustain it. So you must use just a small amount of effort on this task. 6. If you find that your mind still wanders from the object, you can bring the mind back to a standstill by repeating a mantra [NOTE: Many practitioners use “Samma-Araham”107] 7. Do not entertain thoughts in your mind. Do not analyze what is going on in your meditation. Allow your mind to come to a standstill on its own – that is all you need to do! If you find that you cannot imagine anything, do not be disturbed. Simply try to repeat the mantra, “Samma-Araham” softly, silently and continuously in the mind. If you find that you are not sure about the location in the center of the body, anywhere in the area of the stomach will do. If that is not working, then go to wherever feels right, but remember that the eventual goal is in the center. Do not be disheartened. Persevere, because today's daydream is tomorrow's still mind, today's darkness is tomorrow's inner brightness, today's perseverance is tomorrow's fulfillment. Don’t be disappointed if you find your mind wandering. It is only natural, especially for beginners. Make a continuous effort, keep your mind bright, clear and pure, and in the end, you will achieve your goal! 8. Keep repeating the mantra and eventually the sound of the words will fall away. At that point, if you are continuously still and relaxed, something will arise on its own accord. This stage is called pathama magga (primary path). At this stage the mind is becoming more stable and is seated at the center of the body. Happiness is one of the side effects of this state.. With continuous observation at the center of this object, it will give way to a succession of increasingly more pure and refined sheaths of “being” until it reaches the ultimate one referred to as “Dhammakaya”, where we discover our true permanent selves and the happiness found there. _________________________________________________ 10 Samma-Araham or Samma Arahang: Taking the path to freedom from the suffering of life; the Middle Way.