Reflecting on the Dangers of Sensuality to Develop Samādhi - Ajahn Dhammasiha

Many meditators find it difficult to experience calm, peace and bliss in their meditation. They often come to the conclusion that they need a better 'technique', or more flexibility to sit more comfortably, or that they have to sit longer or more frequently. That's not wrong, but the most important condition to attain samādhi is not technique, but gradually and persistently weakening the defilements in one's heart. And the first and most important hindrance to samadhi is sensuality.In his reflections, Ajahn Dhammasiha explains seven similes given by the Buddha to elucidate the dangers inherent in sensual desire (Majjhima Nikāya/Middle Length Discourses #54, 'Potaliya-Sutta'):https://accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.054x.than.htmlIf we reflect on the danger and drawbacks of sensuality, we weaken sensual desire ('kāmacchanda'). Once sensual desire is overcome, the biggest obstacle to samādhi is removed, and the mind will settle in calm, peace in bliss much more easily.www.dhammagiri.org.auwww.facebook.com/dhammagiri-forest-hermitagewww.youtube.com/channel/UCJINt0JJBfFm_x0FZcU9QJwwww.tinyletter.com/dhammagiri/archive