THE PATH OF STREAM ENTRY
The sequence of events that leads to stream entry is called “The Path of Stream Entry” (sotāpatti anga):
i. Association with those who value Tranquility of mind as the highest good (sappurisa sevana).
ii. Hearing about the value of Tranquility (saddhamma savana).
iii. Deterministic thinking about the conditions necessary for the gaining of Tranquility (yoniso manasikāra).
When our perspective on life changes, our sense of values change. When our sense of values changes our goal in life changes. When our goal in life is fully established, our life reorganizes to reach this goal. Then our thoughts, speech, and actions change to fall in line with our goal. Then we don’t have to push ourselves to meditate. Meditation will automatically take place because meditation is the means to the goal we are trying to reach. Our life will automatically move towards the goal we have chosen. We do not have to make any special effort, or make any resolution to meditate. We do not need any will-power to meditate. We do not have to force ourselves to meditate. We do not need to say, “I don’t have any time”, or “I have to make time”. We will automatically have time to meditate, because that is what we want to do.
If we really want to do something, we will always have the time. It is only when we are not really interested in doing something that we do not have time for it. This means, when we have the right understanding, or harmonious perspective, we will begin to meditate automatically. Then meditation is not something we do. It becomes our way of life.
Meditation is the way of life that leads to calmness of the mind and relaxation of the body. Calmness of mind makes one happy and relaxation of body makes one comfortable. Both calmness and happiness make one kind and compassionate.
Therefore to become a Buddhist is to acquire the harmonious perspective and the right sense of values, with the belief that every human being can transcend all human weaknesses and reach the highest perfection as the Buddha did, if he/she only tried. Suffering, its cause, its end, and the way to its end, is not outside us but within us. It is right within you and me.
Therefore evolve, and be transformed. You too can reach The Imperturbable Serenity of Mind