The Ultimate Stage Of Meditation: Pure Consciousness

Meditation is a journey with many stages, and the last stage is often considered to be the most profound and transformative. In the final stage of meditation, the meditator experiences a complete sense of awakening and unity. This is sometimes referred to as the Dzogchen state, or pure abiding.

In this stage, the sense of separation between the subject (the meditator) and the object (what they are meditating on) dissolves. The meditator is no longer disturbed by their experience, nor do they disturb it with their mind. They are simply immersed in the suchness of it, resting in a state of pure awareness.

This stage is marked by a profound sense of peace, joy, and equanimity. The meditator's mind is described as unsurpassable, with qualities of stable attention and powerful mindfulness that persist long after the meditation session has ended.

While the path to this final stage may vary for each individual, it requires diligent practice, a commitment to awareness, and the ability to let go of distractions, judgments, and negative inner chatter. It is a journey of self-discovery and transformation, leading to a deeper understanding of oneself and one's impact on others.

Absorption or Samadhi

When we become deeply concentrated, our sense of ourselves as the meditator momentarily ceases, and the only thing we experience is the object of our meditation. This leads to the unification of the 'knower', the 'knowing', and the 'known'. This is Samadhi, the fruition of the first branch of meditation, called Samatha.

Samadhi or Absorption leads to the experience of 'no self'. As the mind enters a state of total concentration or absorption with its object, our bhavanga consciousness (the aspect of our unconscious mind that creates the illusionary sense of self within our experience of a moment of ordinary consciousness) is momentarily cut off.

The first experience of 'no self' comes about through the cultivation of concentration meditation. This concentration leads to the experience of the unification of the 'knower', the 'knowing', and the 'known'. This is Samadhi, which is the fruition of the first branch of meditation, Samatha.

Once we have had our first experience of no-self, we begin to realize that most of our suffering is caused by the imposition of our sense and ideas of self upon the experience that we are having. The Buddha's teaching that self is the cause of suffering is just a lofty idea until the day we have the experience whereby 'self' is absent from our experience, and the experience that remains feels complete and totally satisfying, far from suffering.

In the practice of concentration, the sense of self gradually becomes removed from the experience as we come closer to a total state of absorption, in which all traces of it have faded. The subject is gone, but the object remains.

Subject is gone, object remains

The "subject is gone, object remains" is the first of four phases of meditation. In this phase, the meditator enters a state of "absorption" or "Samadhi", where their sense of self is momentarily absent from their experience, while the object of their meditation remains. This state provides a temporary release from the ego and a sense of unification with the object of meditation.

In the first phase, the meditator cultivates serenity and concentration, also known as "Samatha". This practice involves removing the subjective sense of the meditator from their experience, while retaining the object of meditation. As a result, the meditator experiences a momentary freedom from the self and the egoic mind. This state is described as "absorption" or "Samadhi" and leads to the experience of "No Self".

When the meditator becomes deeply concentrated, their sense of self as the meditator temporarily ceases to exist. At this point, the only thing in their experience is the object of meditation. This experience of "No Self" is described as the first branch of meditation, called "Samatha", which means "the cultivation of serenity and concentration".

By cultivating concentration meditation, the meditator can achieve the unification of the "knower", the "knowing", and the "known". This state of Samadhi is the fruition of the first phase of meditation. Once the meditator has experienced "No Self", they begin to understand that their suffering is caused by the imposition of their sense of self onto their experiences. This knowledge motivates them to seek a more permanent release from suffering.

The practice of concentration gradually removes the sense of self from the experience, as the meditator moves closer to a total state of absorption, where all traces of the self have faded, and only the object remains. This phase lays the foundation for the subsequent phases of meditation, where the meditator continues to explore the relationship between the subject and the object and ultimately achieves a state of awakening and unity.

Subduing the negative mind

One technique for subduing the negative mind is to cultivate awareness. This involves observing one's thoughts and emotions without judgement and recognising that thoughts are separate from oneself. By doing this, one can begin to identify negative thought patterns and work to change them. It is important to be patient and compassionate with oneself during this process, as it can take time to unlearn negative thought patterns and behaviours.

Meditation can also help to reprogramme the subconscious mind, which is often the source of negative thoughts and emotions. The subconscious mind is influenced by past experiences, memories, and beliefs, which can lead to the reinforcement of negative affirmations. Through meditation, one can become more aware of these negative affirmations and work to replace them with positive ones. This can be done through positive mantra meditation, where a positive affirmation is repeated over time until it becomes ingrained in the subconscious mind.

Another technique for subduing the negative mind is to focus on the present moment and one's bodily sensations. This can help to ground oneself in the present and prevent the mind from getting caught up in negative thoughts about the past or future. Techniques such as deep breathing and body scans can be useful for achieving this.

Additionally, it is important to recognise that external influences, such as family, peers, and the media, can also contribute to negative thought patterns. By becoming more mindful of these influences and their impact on one's thoughts and behaviours, one can begin to detach from them and develop a more positive mindset.

Finally, it is crucial to remember that the process of subduing the negative mind is an ongoing journey. There may be setbacks and challenges along the way, but with consistent practice and a willingness to face difficult emotions, one can make significant progress in transforming negative thoughts and emotions into positive ones.

Unwavering commitment

The commitment to meditation and working with the mind is unwavering at this stage, as the meditator experiences a joyful plenitude that is no longer dependent on outer circumstances. The practice has brought about a genuine personal transformation, and the meditator is motivated to continue their journey, understanding that it is a lifelong process.

The final stage is not about reaching an endpoint but about cultivating an unwavering commitment to the practice and applying it to daily life. It is about being at peace and fully immersed in the present moment, no matter what is happening around you. This stage is about freedom from the affliction of the self and the egoic mind, and it is a profound and wonderful experience.

The journey to this stage is gradual and systematic, requiring diligence and patience. It involves working through different stages of meditation, each with its own challenges and techniques. It is a process of maturing and refining the way one meets their experience, and it can take a lifetime to reach this stage of unwavering commitment. However, the benefits of meditation can be experienced at any stage of the journey, and it is a rewarding practice that can bring about positive change.

Pure awareness remains

Dzogchen, or pure awareness, is the third phase of meditation. In this phase, both the subject and the object are gone, and only pure awareness remains. This is a state of total equanimity, but not of total concentration. The discriminating mind momentarily ceases, and the meditator is in a state of pure abiding.

In this phase, there is no reaching out with the conditioned mind to grasp any specific object of attention. The meditator is in a state of non-duality, where there is no sense of separation between the subject and the object. This is a delicate ground between the third and fourth phases of meditation.

The fourth phase is when things are un-clung to, and the meditator is able to leave everything as it is and immerse themselves in the suchness of things. This is a completely awake state, where there is no separation between the subject and the object.

The third phase is about bringing things that are clung to, to cessation, and watching them come to an end. This is done by relinquishing attachments and resting in a state of pure abiding, leaving everything alone.

The transition from the third to the fourth phase is a delicate one, and it is important to skilfully recognise and apply the four phases of meditation to progress through them effectively.

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