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Last week we continued the discussion of the refrain that appears after each of the

meditation instructions in the Saty Patana Suta. We looked at the line

Mindfulness established in one to the extent necessary for bare knowledge and continuous mindfulness.

Tonight I'd like to explore the meaning, finally,

of the last line of the refrain.

And it's a very interesting line because it unifies both the practice and the goal of meditation. We see that in one sense the practice is the goal.

The line says, and one abides independent, not clinging to anything in the world.

And one abides independent, not clinging to anything in the world. This line really encapsulates the

entire spiritual path.

Our abiding independent refers to the mind not being dependent on

being dependent on any arising experience through either craving or through views.

Craving or desire are the usual translations of the polyword TANHA.

But it's also sometimes translated in another way, which for me has somewhat more power.

That is, it's translated often as thirst.

Because thirst somehow suggests

a more embodied urgency to this powerful state of mind.

Craving or desire is not simply a mental activity

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