Do Concentration in the Morning, in the Middle of the Day, and in the Evening

Monks, possessing three factors, a shopkeeper is capable of acquiring wealth not yet acquired and of increasing wealth already acquired.

What three?

Here, a shopkeeper diligently applies himself to his work in the morning, in the middle of the day, and in the evening.

Possessing these three factors, a shopkeeper is capable of acquiring wealth not yet acquired and of increasing wealth already acquired.

So too, possessing three factors, a Monk is capable of achieving a wholesome state not yet attained and of increasing a wholesome state already attained.

What three?

Here, a Monk diligently applies himself to an object of concentration in the morning, in the middle of the day, and in the evening.

Possessing these three factors, a Monk is capable of achieving a wholesome state not yet attained and of increasing a wholesome state already attained.

(Reference: AN 3.19)

In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares to train the mind in meditation at three (3) times during the day, morning, midday, and evening. There is no exact specific time that a Practitioner needs to meditate in a given day.

During the lifetime of Gotama Buddha, clocks that share the exact time did not exist, therefore, he could not have meditated at exactly the same time and meditating at exactly the same time is not required to attain Enlightenment. It is not possible to meditate at exactly the same time every day due to The Universal Truth of Impermanence. Attempting to meditate at exactly the same time every day would only cause discontentedness, thus, one would not experience Enlightenment.

Meditation is a practice that most Practitioners will need to build up over time. You may or may not be able to accomplish this goal as you first get started but instead, gradually train the mind to establish a practice where you are meditating 2-3 times per day for 30 minutes or more per session.

This will produce the best results.

Detailed explanation to develop a meditation practice is available in this same book series found in Chapter 11 of the book “Developing a Life Practice: The Path That Leads to Enlightenment” (Volume 1).

Now that you have completed reading (Volume 7) of this book series and may decide to read this book multiple times, I would like to take a moment to personally “thank you” for your determination, dedication, and diligence to learn, reflect, and practice The Teachings of The Buddha on The Path to Enlightenment.

The time, effort, energy, and resources that you devote to this path are serving to help you and countless other beings. As you choose to learn and practice these Teachings, you will significantly reduce then eliminate any harm that you are putting into the world through your unknowing of true reality. The unEnlightened mind does not understand what it does not understand.

You are now applying time, effort, energy, and resources to improving the condition of the mind, the condition of your life, and, thus, the condition of the world through investigating The Teachings to acquire wisdom. The world becomes a better place when we each individually choose to improve our own life practice taking responsibility for our own intentions, speech, actions, and livelihood while improving our wisdom and mental discipline.

I admire individuals who choose to walk towards harmlessness. I admire individuals who choose to realize there is a better way of life and create that better way of life for themselves through seeking guidance. And, I admire individuals who do not shrink back from the struggle to move the mind towards Enlightenment when the natural tendency might be to remain complacent.

Why have I chosen to share these Teachings with you?

“That it may be for the benefit and peacefulness of the multitude (many people), out of compassion for the world, for the benefit and peacefulness of heavenly beings and humans”. (Gotama Buddha)

“Because if they understand even a single sentence, that will lead to their welfare and peacefulness for a long time”. (Gotama Buddha)

May you discover the freedom associated with a mind that is peaceful, calm, serene, and content with joy permanently - the Enlightened mind.

As you need help to learn, reflect, and practice these Teachings, you are welcome to seek guidance which is available openly and freely to “all beings”.