Introduction to Samatha - The Ancient Art of Calming the Mind in Buddhism
Posted by ABISHEK SHRESTHA
Nowadays, we particularly require peace of mind. Did you also happen to know that more than 2,500 years ago there existed the teaching from the Buddha on a very powerful technique for inner peace namely Samatha?
What is Samatha?
Samatha (Pāli; Sanskrit: Śamatha) is “tranquillity” or “peace.” It is a meditation style used to quiet down the mind so that you develop good concentration (samādhi) and mental acuity. In each school of Buddhism—Theravāda, Mahāyāna, and also Tibetan—Samatha is a foundation upon which further insight and wisdom are built.
How Does It Work?
Basically, Samatha is mind-calming exercise through training of the mind to maintain its attention steady on just a single thing. Sounds extremely simple but very transformative. Our minds are usually wild - hopping from thought to thought like a monkey from branch to branch. Samatha mellows out that monkey.
The Process: From Scattered to Still
You begin by choosing an object of meditation - the most common is typically the breath, but also possibly a visual image (kasina), a word (e.g. a mantra), or even a feeling such as loving-kindness (mettā). You place your full awareness on that object and keep it there, bringing it back if it wanders.
At first, the mind is distracted again and again. But through habit practice, distractions are diminished. Slowly and steadily, your mind becomes tranquil like a flame from a candle in an unruffled room. This growing concentration is known as one-pointedness (ekaggatā) and is a key characteristic of Samatha.
Stages of Mental Development
In such a tradition as Yogācāra Buddhism, the advance toward deep tranquillity is mapped as nine stages of mental development. These stages follow how a practiser increasingly overcomes distractions and somnolence and passes from agitated restlessness through automatic stability:
- Placing the mind - You try to focus, but it often slips away.
- Continuous attention - You hold the object longer before distraction.
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Repeated attention - You catch yourself drifting and bring attention back faster.
- Close placement - Focus becomes steadier; still subtle dullness or subtle wandering may creep in.
- Taming - Gross distractions are gone, but subtle dullness may arise - effort is needed to uplift the mind.
- Pacifying - Even subtle dullness is weakening, you gently uplift the mind with alertness.
- Complete pacification - Distractions are minimal; focus is clear and stable, but still requires some effort.
- One-pointed attention - Effortless, uninterrupted focus, sustained one-pointed concentration without drifting.
- Balanced placement - The mind rests effortlessly and joyfully.
This path is often shown as a monk guiding an elephant (the mind) and a monkey (distraction) along a winding road. As training progresses, the elephant becomes calmer and whiter, symbolizing purity and control.
What Happens as You Deepen?
As your concentration deepens through Samatha, you may reach states called jhānas (dhyānas in Sanskrit)—powerful levels of meditative absorption. There are four main jhānas:
- First Jhāna: Intense focus, joy (pīti), and happiness (sukha), with some mental effort.
- Second Jhāna: Even deeper joy and stillness, without needing to “think” about the object.
- Third Jhāna: Calm and contentment, with equanimity increasing.
- Fourth Jhāna: Profound peace, beyond pleasure and pain—total mental balance.
These are not just blissful states - they’re signs that the mind has been fully pacified and is capable of penetrating reality deeply. Even reaching access concentration (just before the first jhāna) is a sign that Samatha is working well.
Why Samatha Matters?
Samatha isn't just pleasant - it prepares your mind for insight. A calm mind that's clear and peaceful is like a microscope: if stationary, you can examine details of your experience. That’s when vipassanā (insight meditation) starts.
Both in the Theravāda and Mahāyāna tradition we read about stillness abiding in a developed mind and discernment being caused by insight. It’s Vipassanā which gives you understanding and Samatha which gives you tranquillity. They jointly articulate wisdom.
Begin your journey into Samatha with a prayer mala, thangka painting, and singing bowl that anchor your calm and focus.
