Buddhist-Meditation-Systematic-and-Practical

2. The five dull drivers may be eliminated by the five
meditations of the last chapter, so that only the sharp
drivers remain to be cured by the medicines offered
here.
3. The most important of the four is the last, concerned
with the realization of the no-self of dharmas. Before we
can arrive at this, the other three must have been
practiced, thus finally removing the five sharp drivers.
E. The Practical Method of the Four Mindfulnesses
Two kinds of method can be distinguished. In one, the
practice of the four proceeds separately; in the second,
they are practiced together.
1. As Practiced Separately: The Practical Method
A stanza from the Kosa says:
"Upon what you have accomplished in samatha,
base the practice of the four mindfulnesses and (not
only practice them but) establish them firmly."
We should draw the reader's attention to this: it is
essential to understand the importance of the
foundations of mindfulness found in the preceding
meditations; also, one must understand that these
meditations are subtler than the former ones—there
would be no need to practice them if they were not.
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