A Monk Who Is Not Lacking of Jhāna

Monks, if for just the time of a finger snap a Monk develops Mindfulness of Breathing (Breathing Mindfulness Meditation), he is called a Monk who is not lacking of Jhāna, who acts upon The Teachings of The Teacher, who responds to his advice, and who does not eat the country’s almsfood having produced no results or benefits. How much more, then, those who cultivate it!

(Reference: AN 1.394)

In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares how one who trains in Breathing Mindfulness Meditation will be able to experience the Jhānas. He also encourages Students to practice “The Teachings of The Teacher” and respond to his advice.

A Teacher is highly important on The Path to Enlightenment. Through learning and practicing Gotama Buddha’s Teachings with guidance, the mind becomes Enlightened in that you can observe the improvement in the condition of the mind as you eliminate all discontent feelings where the mind can reside peaceful, calm, serene, and content with joy - permanently. You are not believing The Teachings wishing for a positive outcome at some point in the future or after death. Instead, you are observing the improvements to the condition of the mind right now - in the present moment.

Only a Buddha would be able to attain Enlightenment on their own without Teachers. These are some of the criteria that make a Buddha a Buddha is that they discover The Teachings on their own attaining Enlightenment without help from a Teacher, shares their independently discovered Teachings to guide countless others to Enlightenment during the remaining time of their life, and they leave their Teachings in a condition that they guide countless others to Enlightenment after their death.

The last Buddha currently known to the world existed over 2,500 years ago.

That means you and everyone else will need Teachers on this Path to Enlightenment. A Buddha has already done the hard work of figuring out how to attain Enlightenment. You just need to learn and practice his Teachings to improve the condition of the mind and your life.

Seeking guidance to learn and practice Breathing Mindfulness Meditation is a wise decision to get started.