Tranquil Wisdom Insight Meditation From Start to Finish

Tranquil Wisdom Insight Meditation (TWIM) as taught by Bhante Vimalaraṁsi. TWIM is the actual Brahmavihāras practice described in the suttas, and it includes the Divine Dwellings of Mindfulness of Lovingkindness (Mettā), Mindfulness of Compassion (Karuṇā), Mindfulness of Joy (Muditā), and Mindfulness of Equanimity (Upekkhā). The Brahmavihāras are described by the Buddha in his earliest talks as recorded in the suttas of the Majjhima Nikāya. The instructions in this guide are based on the suttas themselves and on commentaries that are consistent with the suttas. The instructions explain Right Effort — this is what we call the “6Rs”. The 6Rs will be explained in detail later. Most Buddhist Mindfulness practices today tend to focus on the breath as the object of meditation. They only use Mettā and the Brahmavihāras as “side meditations” to help one with relaxation and as a way of “softening” the breath practice and of softening life in general. However, the Buddha discussed the Mindfulness of Mettā practice many more times in the suttas than the Mindfulness of Breathing (Ānāpānasati) practice: only eight times for Mindfulness of Breathing and more than a hundred times for the Mindfulness of Lovingkindness. Although many teachers today do not teach this or support this view, the Buddha did state that the Mettā and Brahmavihāras practice, on its own, will lead to the supreme attainment of Nibbāna. The sutta Accompanied by Lovingkindness in the Saṃyutta Nikāya(46:54(4)) makes this clear. Tranquil Wisdom Insight Meditation, using Mettā or the feeling of Lovingkindness as the object of meditation, has been found to be easier and to give faster results than using the Breath as the object of meditation. It includes a powerful warm and glowing feeling, which helps your practice because you enjoy doing it.