Mahamudra the main text followed by Kagyu tradition of vajrayana - having the main centre at Rumtek, Sikkim (well, this is a personal note), is a comprehensive treatise on meditation - in the all encompassing aspects of the word. Some key points as was inferred by me till the pages covered are posted below.
Meditation is a state when mind is absorbed in tranquility in an object, generating insight about the object at the same time. Hence tranquility meditation and insight meditation- samata and vipassana - are not two types of meditation, rather are two features of a mind in meditation.
As a result of Samata, when the mind stands complete in itself the insight dawns that it is empty of self - so to say, 'generate' dhamma and sunyata simultaneously.
Hindrances for samata sensual distractions, is eliminated by the insight(vipassana) element of anatta. Hindrances of vipassana, dullness and lethargy are eliminated by samata aspects of concentration and focussedness. Without samata, insight wavers - like a lamp in a wind. Without vipassana no wisdom dawns.
Sensuality - objects and consciousness when in contact arise sensual stimuli. Interference of mental impressions- sankara- result in reaction- like or dislike. Clinging to objects or to the interfered truth about them is sensuality.
Samata meditation without object - Invoke concentration and focussednes in the mind, without generating or suppressing thoughts. Dwell absorbed in this state amidst thoughts. If dullness arises, listen (generate mentally) a startling noise to break the chain of thoughts, prevent the next thought to arise, concentrate on the emptiness in between. Stop mediation when an amount of tranquility is attained, come back to meditation again.
Samata Meditation should done at an optimum of exertion and relaxation. One should relax internally when complications arise. Not taking any sides, nor getting entangled with thought processses or carried away, one should be in tranquil absorption.
('Aanapanasati' by Vimalaramsi speaks about feeling the complications, relaxing it as if it were in the brain, and returning to equipose.)
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