Mapping Enlightenment: Step-by-step Shamatha explanation

shamatha by les walker

these paintings depicting the purification of various animals along an ascending path are a popular visual metaphor for the process by which a contemplative practitioner cultivates total cognitive clarity & mental mastery.

the benefit of seeing this process so meticulously explained is that it breaks down the order in which various cognitive faculties are to be developed and describes exactly what is to be expected at every stage.

additionally, it helps us conceptualize the potential pitfalls that our own Self – development journey may suffer from if we skip or combine steps.

this process exemplifies the science of subjectivity that Buddhists have cultivated and teach.

  1. desire leads frantic chasing (ego) leads unconscious attention

2. ego leads unconscious attention leads desire

3. Ego and attention turn to Self, ego still leads attention, laxity appears (not pictured: desire behind Self)

4. ego, attention and laxity become half purified

5. Self takes lead but stays vigilant about tempering attention, ego trails behind

6. Self can turn to face forward keeping attention on short leash, ego follows, laxity disappears

7. Separation of attention from ego, release of now fully purified ego 

8. Leading fully purified attention without leash

9. fully pacifying attention

10. using attention as a vehicle for accessing skillful means, higher levels of consciousness and tantric realization.