Les pages suivantes présentent des astuces pour trouver clarté et calme en quelques minutes. Elles peuvent être mises en pratique dans toutes sortes de situations – en moins de temps qu’il ne faut pour boire une tasse de thé. Si vous avez une vie très chargée, ce guide pourrait vous aider à sortir du rythme frénétique du quotidien et vous donner un peu d’air. Ces suggestions pourraient aussi vous montrer un chemin pour méditer, mais ce sera à vous de voir, avec l’aide d’autres manuels.

Sachez que par souci de concision, je m’en suis tenu à l’essentiel. Ce qui suit est comme un sachet de pois déshydratés ou un repas lyophilisé de randonneur. Ajoutez votre propre eau et laissez mijoter ! J’espère que ce guide vous aidera.

Ajahn Sucitto

(Version Française: Amy Barrett)

A GUIDE TO STANDING MEDITATION

As standing is something that we do, why not do it with full awareness? After all, standing was one of the positions that the Buddha recommended as a proper basis for mindfulness. Wisely cultivated, it takes strain out of the body, encourages balance and inner stability – and is a support for full liberation.

In this guide, Ajahn Sucitto adds practical details to the establishment and development of this practice. It is for beginners and experienced meditators alike.

This book began as an essay to add some guiding notes to the practice of mindfulness of breathing (ānāpānasati). The intention was to be concise, with the understanding that plenty of meditation manuals are available, as are several thorough expositions of the theory and practice of mindfulness of breathing. However, as this meditation is so crucial, it seems useful to contribute any fresh approaches. And I have noticed that the way I understand and approach mindfulness of breathing is both somewhat different from what I was originally taught, and yet can fit the original sutta presentation.

This book is a substantially revised and expanded version of the 2009 original. It explores the link between external action and mind cultivation – both of which are forms of the kamma that leads to liberation. The book teaches formal meditation practices, the role of devotion, aspects of dependent origination, and the need to establish skilful relationships – kalyānamitta – and the cessation of suffering and stress.

The following pages offer some means to find clarity and calm within a few minutes. They can be put into practice in a range of non-specialized situations – in the time it would take you to drink a cup of tea. If you live a busy life, this guide may help you come out of the momentum of the day and give you more time. These suggestions may also offer you a way to meditate – but that’s up to you and another guide.

Do you ever find yourself dominated by a chain of thought that tells you that you’re not good enough, that you don’t deserve much, and that other people look down on you or tolerate you out of politeness? Do you find yourself snagging on memories of things you did wrong, or relationships that you didn’t get right? Do you feel that you have to be a success in life like you think someone else is – and are consequently critical of yourself? This piece of psychology is called ‘the Inner Tyrant’. The good news is that it’s not just you who has this, and that you can get free of its grip. And the key to this is through establishing, and continually re-establishing, right intent.