The Journey from Clinging to Liberation

Mastering the Path: The Journey from Clinging to Liberation

“The Buddha said: ‘In short, the Five Clinging Aggregates are suffering. That is, Clinging to Mind (Perceptions, Thought Formations, Feelings, and Consciousness) and the Body (Six sense doors and four great elements).’ He elaborated that Clinging encompasses more than mere attachment—it involves FEEDING. We feed off the Aggregates, not merely attach to them. Our sustenance from the Body and Mind, however, proves unwholesome, leading to suffering. We feed on them, drawing sustenance and we keep on craving for more, thereby causing suffering.

It’s imperative to learn to sustain ourselves on the pleasure of Form, It is the rapture, joy, pleasure and serenity that comes from our meditation practice. Particularly through mindfulness of breath. Breath meditation proves highly beneficial, with full-body breath meditation yielding even greater benefits.

As the mind becomes increasingly absorbed in the full body breath, it grows quieter. Deepening concentration brings about Rapture and Joy, leading eventually to Pleasure and serenity. Further enhancing mindfulness of breath and concentration, we reach to Right Concentration, deemed by the Buddha as the HEART of the Path. Right concentration provides the wholsome food for the path that does not involves suffering of clinging.

From there, we develop Equanimity. This is how we develop the Seven Factors of Awakening. Ultimately, Discernment with Clear knowing and release from Ignorance bring about the End of all Sufferings. Keep working deligently. 👏👏👏