Buddhist-Meditation-Systematic-and-Practical

If one performs the nine steps, then one must have the
six conditions applying to them.
a. The hearing instruction: without this, one cannot
practice.
b. Right thinking: all thinking returns to the object of
concentration.
c. The condition of remembrance.
d. Rightly recognizing.
e. Diligence.
f. The force of habitual practice.
Hence, in addition, one should choose an object of
concentration suitable in color to one's character. For a
person with a distracted mind, an object, (stone, painted
surface, etc.), circular in shape and deep of color (blue,
black, etc.) should be taken. For the person inclined to
sleepiness, the concentration object should be light,
such as white or yellow. Such are the directions given
for developing the samatha based on outward objects.
For inward samatha development, any point centered in
the body may be used, particularly the area between the
eyes, the heart region, or the navel. If one is sleepy, one
should choose a higher point, but if the obstacle is
disturbance, a lower one is best. One's concentration
point should not always be changed but should be
varied according to circumstances. If it is fixed in the
quiet mind, it should be kept as long as possible.
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