Samatha means calm concentration and is an important stage for all forms of meditation. The technique requires a focus on the breathing in order to quiet down the mind and bring it to a state of rest or peace which is very blissful.
The more the mind is able not to be caught up in restless thoughts the more energy it conserves and this can build up to a significant level to a point where there is a state of absorption which the ancients called “Jhana” and it is these states that the human mind aspires to in terms of spiritual development.
Without knowledge of Jhana it is difficult to progress on the path and Samatha forms of meditation are crucial to its attainment. Any meditation that works towards Jhana can be called Samatha meditation but the technique which we teach comes from Thailand. The person who brought the tradition to the UK is Nai Boonman and he is considered the founder of Samatha Meditation.
The technique, as taught by Nai Boonman, involves 16 stages and – depending on your temperament – progress can be swift or hard fought.
Samatha Meditation has its main retreat centre in mid Wales and two other local centres In Manchester and Milton Keynes respectively. It is important to give time to attending retreats as they allow the mind to completely escape from its day to day concerns and just be free to go inwards. Many insights can arise for the individual during retreats and these can have a positive impact that endures far beyond the period of the retreat.
With regular practice it may take 6 months to complete the learning of the 16 stages as a formal technique but then it is your own exploration into developing the intricacies and subtleties that surround the mediation that then allows it to go deeper and lead to more profound experiences. Direct experience and knowledge through meditation can be as useful as analysis and interpretation but has the additional benefit of being realised for oneself and therefore harder to refute or doubt.
Samatha Meditation is a very useful technique and can work on many levels, often simultaneously. It is hard to judge progress but when things do come together in meditation, then the benefits and progress are very tangible. The Buddha also spoke about how the benefits are to be experienced in the “here and now” and not is some distant future. I believe this is especially true when referring to meditation. Breathing meditation is said in the texts as suitable for all temperaments and personalities and therefore anyone can practice Samatha.
I therefore look forward to being able to provide instructions and guidance on how to practice Samatha Meditation. Teaching is given for free within this tradition and we do not charge for lessons. Samatha is also a national Charity and there are many local classes and details can be found on line, classes are donation based only. Further we operate regular retreats at all the 3 centres and people should feel confident to apply and attend these retreats.