The Meditative Concentration (Samādhi) Required for Realizing the Path

Does the meditative concentration (samādhi) we need for seeing the path and attaining realization remain unbroken all along, or is it that concentration is present when we bring it up and available when needed, but absent at ordinary times? If the meditative concentration one has cultivated is relatively firm, the mind will remain in concentration continuously, only sometimes stronger and sometimes weaker; when there are many worldly affairs, the mind becomes distracted, and at such times the power of concentration weakens. If the meditative concentration one has cultivated is not firm, then there is concentration while sitting on the cushion, but once off the cushion the mind becomes scattered and the concentration is lost.

The meditative concentration required for attaining the fruits and for seeing one's true mind is a relatively firm kind of concentration. With such deep concentration, contemplative practice (vipaśyanā-caryā) and deliberation can be deep, fine, and continuous, the effort can be sustained, and the wisdom of contemplative practice can grow better and better. This is like boiling water: only when the fire burns continuously without interruption can the water in the pot become hotter and hotter, and finally come to a boil. If the fire is on and off, the water in the pot will heat up for a while and then cool down, and there is no telling when it will ever boil.

The minimum level of meditative concentration required for practice is that there must be continuous concentration during contemplative practice and deliberation; one must contemplate and deliberate within concentration, ensuring that the deliberation and contemplative practice are continuous, enduring, and constantly deepening. One must be able to sustain contemplative practice and deliberation for a long time with sufficient power of concentration; otherwise, the effort is easily interrupted and cannot be maintained, the deliberation becomes disjointed, and one will be unable to carry contemplative practice through to completion and eliminate self-view (ātma-dṛṣṭi). As long as there is meditative concentration and the other conditions are complete, realization of the path may occur at any time.