This high quality image is from the paramita center, paramitacentre.org .
What is the meaning of this image? Without the explanations, you might guess. Let us explore what this says together as I type it out, so that we can all understand this completely. Starting from the bottom of the mountain, it says Power of Listening. 1 ) Stabilizing the mind within.
The monk holds ropes in his left hand, Attention, and a hooked goad in his right hand, Vigilance. (The black colour of the Elephant) Mental laxity. An arrow to the Black 'Elephant, The Mind'. (The black color of the monkey) Agitation. An arrow to the Black Monkey, Dispersion.
An arrow to the Fire, The intensity of the fire represents the force needed to apply vigilance and attention. An arrow to the white curved path, The 6 curves in the road represent the 6 powers. 2 ) Continued stabilization. An arrow to fruit and clouds, Objects of the world of desire that distract and excite the mind. Development of clarity and stability, Power of Attention.
Recognizing the least presence of gross or subtle mental laxity. An arrow to a Black Rabbit on the back of the Elephant with a white head, Subtle mental laxity. 3 ) Re-Stabilization. Attention being refocused on the object after having detected the presence of distraction.
4 ) Maintaining stabilization. Power of vigilance, as the Monk uses the rope of mindfulness to lead the Elephant. Intensity of agitation decreases. Through the power of Vigilance, the mind is firmly stabilized in concentration. 5 ) Discipline. 6 ) Pacification. Power of enthusiasm.
7 ) Complete pacification. With minimal attention and vigilance the mind abides in concentration. 8 ) Single-pointed concentration. Power of familiarity. 9 ) Mental equanimity. Physical suppleness.
Mental suppleness. Attainment of calm-abiding. The union of calm-abiding and special insight that takes emptiness as its object, cuts through the root of Samsara.
Attention and Vigilance actively seeking the view.
To learn more about the nine stages of training the mind, read about Vipassana and Dhammapada.
If you would like to add anything to this please comment below! Thanks for reading.
