Container: Practice Morsels

The concept of a container in meditation refers to the space in which awareness of the meditation object—such as the breath—is held. This container can vary in size, from focusing narrowly on the nostrils and upper lip to encompassing the entire body or even the surrounding air. The amount of awareness within this container also fluctuates, ranging from minimal presence to full absorption in meditation.

An analogy illustrates this idea: A teaspoon of salt in a glass of water is strong, whereas in a large lake, it becomes imperceptible. Similarly, sometimes a larger mental container is needed for spacious awareness, while other times, a more concentrated focus is beneficial. The key is adjusting the container to suit the depth and quality of meditation.

Transcript

Container.

So,

When we think of containers,

We think of an object that holds something.

And the qualities are,

How big is a container and how much is it holding at any given time?

So,

In the context of meditation,

What is our meditation and how does a container apply to it?

For instance,

Breath meditation.

How much space do we need to know the breath distinctively,

Thoroughly,

And comprehensively,

Or maybe even just a basic bare awareness?

So,

The common container is the human body.

We can close down the container to the area right around the nostrils and the upper lip.

We can have the internal part of the body,

Or we can expand the container,

You know,

Even beyond the physical body to the air around it.

In this sense,

There is the skin moving,

Maybe the air breathing around,

Not the air breathing,

But the air around the body,

Or just the felt sense,

Be it imaginatory or whatever,

Of the breath.

And then,

Within the container,

How much awareness of the object is there?

Is there little to no awareness of the meditation object,

Or being present with the meditation,

Completely wandering off and forgetting the meditation?

Or is there a wholeheartedness,

A complete fullness and saturation,

Being of and with,

Absorbed in meditation?

There's a common saying with things like this,

Is if you put a teaspoon of salt in a glass of water and take a drink,

You'll notice the salt quite a bit.

But if you take the same teaspoon of salt and you put it in a huge lake and then take some water,

You'll barely notice,

Probably not even notice at all,

The salt that was put in there.

And so,

Sometimes we need a bigger container,

And sometimes we need to dial it down and have a more concentrated container.