Skilled, stage 4 of 10
Continuous attention
Goal
Overcome gross distraction and strong dullness.
Why it works
Once forgetting is gone, the remaining problem is strength. Continuous awareness lets you see a distraction or a dip in energy as it begins, and correct it early instead of after the breath has already faded.
Obstacles you will meet
- Gross distraction
- Strong dullness
- Pain
- Emotions and memories surfacing
Skills you will build
- Continuous introspective awareness
- Working with pain
- Purifying the mind
Ready for the next stage when
Gross distractions no longer push the breath into the background.