The Meditative Concentration Required for Seeing the Path

Does the meditative concentration (samādhi) we need for seeing the path and attaining enlightenment remain unbroken all the time, or is there concentration only when we bring it up—having it when needed, but lacking it at ordinary times?

If the meditative concentration one has cultivated is relatively firm, the mind will remain in meditative concentration continuously; it is only that sometimes it is strong and sometimes weak. 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 after rising from the seat the mind becomes scattered and the meditative concentration is lost.

The meditative concentration required for realizing the fruits and for seeing the mind is a relatively firm meditative concentration. With such deep concentration, contemplative practice (vipaśyanā-caryā) and deliberation can be deep, subtle, and continuous; the skill 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 intermittent, the water in the pot will be hot for a while and then cool down again, and no one knows when this water will ever be boiled.

The minimum level of meditative concentration required for practice is that there must be continuous meditative concentration during contemplative practice and deliberation; one must engage in contemplative practice and deliberation within meditative 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 the power of concentration remaining sufficient; otherwise, the skill is easily broken and cannot be maintained, the deliberation becomes disjointed, and one will be unable to carry contemplative practice through to completion and thus eradicate the view of self (satkāya-dṛṣṭi). As long as there is meditative concentration and the other conditions are complete, one may realize the Path at any time.