of cleverness that causes destruction in the world and damage to
the sãsana, but cleverness that discriminates wisely, making deci-
sions favorable to one’s material and spiritual prosperity. It’s this
type of cleverness that’s implicit in the first two factors of the
Noble Eightfold Path: Sammã-diååhi and Sammã-sankappo – Right
View and Right Thought. And these factors are personified by
someone whose words and actions always follow the principles of
wisdom.
“Even Right Samãdhi is dependent on the analytical, prob-
ing wisdom of Right View to avoid becoming ‘comatose samãdhi’.
When the citta converges into a state of calm, wisdom should
always be there, playing a supportive role. Otherwise, how could
those dedicated to understanding the true nature of all phenom-
ena deal correctly with the knowledge arising within the citta,
or the external phenomena with which it comes into contact? If
wisdom is not there to help, one is bound to make mistakes in
judgment.
“The diversity of internal and external phenomena that can
become involved with samãdhi is limitless, the perception of them
being limited only by each individual’s natural inclinations. Those
so inclined will naturally perceive such phenomena and nothing
can prevent them from doing so. But the key factor here is wisdom.
Wisdom analyzes arising phenomena and then chooses the ones
that are suitable to focus on, so that the rest can be allowed to
pass by without causing trouble. Those lacking wisdom will even
have a hard time successfully getting through the samãdhi prac-
tice: they will find themselves being pleased with this perception
or displeased with that one, ecstatic about this, despondent about
that – all are emotional reactions impinging on the heart, causing
jacob rumans
(Jacob Rumans)
#1