Samatha-Vipassana
Updated 2026-08-15
INTRODUCTION
English translation pending.
CORE DEFINITION
Samatha is the practice of settling attention on a single object until the mind becomes stable, and vipassana is the practice of observing experience clearly in order to see its nature. The core proposition is that the two are complementary: concentration supplies the stability that sustained observation requires, and observation supplies the insight that concentration alone does not produce. The key qualification is that the order matters, since observation attempted without stability collapses into restlessness, while stability pursued alone can settle into dullness.
SCAFFOLDING EFFECT
Reduce cognitive load
- Anchor selection: choose one object of attention and stay with it until the mind settles. - Shift to observation: once stable, observe what arises without judging or manipulating it. - Balance check: notice whether the practice has tipped into dullness or into scattering.
Anchor fast decisions
Attention that is repeatedly returned to one object becomes less reactive to distraction, which reduces the noise competing with observation. With that noise lowered, the arising and passing of thoughts and sensations becomes visible as a process rather than as a stream of commands. Each faculty therefore supports the other: stability makes observation possible, and observation prevents stability from becoming inert.
MINIMUM ACTION
In progress 0/1Practice this model in one real situation:
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Source support: Explicit
- zh.wikipedia.orghttps://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%AD%A2%E8%A7%82verified
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