The meditator ascends the nine stages of meditative concentration (serenity, shamatha) by recognizing the two essential features of concentration, recognizing the obstacles that impede it, and applying the antidotes.

At this stage of the course, students begin a new practice: concentration combined with visualization, and learn how to recognize:

Distinguishing Features of Concentration:

vivid intensity, intense mental clarity
stability, one-pointedness

Faults That Prevent Serenity:

Laziness
Forgetting the instructions
Not recognizing agitation and dullness
Not applying antidotes
Over-applying antidotes

Meditation Essentials 07 Recognizing Obstacles