Buddhist-Meditation-Systematic-and-Practical

notebook in which all the subjects of his discourses
were systematically worked out, sat down, and
began.
A. DOUBT AMONG MEDITATORS ON THIS
MATTER
If we first ask whether any preparation should be made,
it is indisputable that the answer is YES. The whole of
this section will deal with this question and show how
essential preparations are for meditation, a subject
requiring great earnestness, and hence great
preparations.
Even among meditators there are two doubts about
preparation. Some doubt concerning the devas, for they
exist always in a state of meditation in the realms of
form and formlessness; what preparation have they
made for their achievement? It is true that they were not
born from a womb, and just rose up into that state.
However, they came to achieve it in the human life
preceding their deva condition, when they practiced
meditation. Their birth as devas depends on the level
achieved by them previously in meditation practice.
Although they have no fleshy body in their devi-life,
they do have a body of meditation (rupa- or arupa- kaya)
which is a continuation of this world's practice. There is
no practice for them in that state because all their
preparation has been done here. (See Chapter III, C. b.,
Attainment by Birth dhyana).
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