Develop Concentration (First Discourse)

Monks, develop concentration. A Monk who is concentrated understands things as they really are.

And what does he understand as it really is?

He understands as it really is: This is discontentedness.

He understands as it really is: This is the cause of discontentedness.

He understands as it really is: This is the elimination of discontentedness.

He understands as it really is: This is the way leading to the elimination of discontentedness.

Monks, develop concentration. A Monk who is concentrated understands things as they really are.

Therefore, Monks, an effort should be made to understand: This is discontentedness.

An effort should be made to understand: This is the cause of discontentedness.

An effort should be made to understand: This is the elimination of discontentedness.

An effort should be made to understand: This is the way leading to the elimination of discontentedness.

(Reference: SN 56.1)

In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares the importance of developing concentration. He points to The Four Noble Truths as a Practitioner who “understands as it really is”.

Through understanding “This is discontentedness”, “This is the cause of discontentedness”, “This is the elimination of discontentedness”, and “This is the way leading to the elimination of discontentedness” a Practitioner will come to understand The Four Noble Truths implementing this Teaching in daily life to develop concentration.

Detailed explanation of The Four Noble Truths is available in this same book series found in Chapter 4 of the book “Developing a Life Practice: The Path That Leads to Enlightenment” (Volume 1).