What are the doctrinal dangers of suppressing 'Chanda' (wholesome desire) and practicing Vipassana without Piti/Sukha (Rapture/Happiness)?
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I have been researching the distinction between Samatha-Vipassana (Tranquility-Insight) and Sukkha-Vipassana (Dry Insight), and I am encountering textual references that suggest serious soteriological and psychological risks when the "dry" approach is uncoupled from its ethical and emotional foundations.
Specifically, I am looking for Sutta or Commentary references that address the following three doctrinal pitfalls, particularly for practitioners who may be isolated from a Sangha:
- The Misunderstanding of Desire (Chanda vs. Tanha): The Brahmana Sutta
(SN 51.15) establishes that Chanda (desire/zeal) is necessary to
complete the path ("desire to end desire"). Is there a recognized
danger of a practitioner confusing Chanda with Tanha (craving),
leading to a state of "spiritual apathy" where they suppress the very
volition needed to emerge from suffering? How does the Abhidhamma
distinguish the function of Chanda in the Iddhipadas from the craving
to be abandoned?
- The Near Enemy of Equanimity (Indifference): The Visuddhimagga
(Chapter IX & XX) identifies "Indifference" (aññāṇupekkhā or
gehasita-upekkha) as the "near enemy" of Upekkha (Equanimity).
Doctrinally, how does one distinguish between a noble "letting go"
and a pathological "dissociation" or depression, particularly if the
practitioner is experiencing "dry" insight without the
counterbalancing factors of Piti (Rapture) or Pasada (Faith)? Are
there suttas that warn against adukkhamasukha (neutral feeling) being
mistaken for wisdom?
- The "Salt Crystal" Dynamic and Mitigation of Kamma: The Kimatthiya
Sutta (AN 11.1) links Sila (virtue) causally to Non-remorse and
eventually Samadhi. Furthermore, the Lonaphala Sutta (AN 3.101)
suggests that a "developed mind" (large body of water) mitigates the
"salt" of kamma. If a practitioner skips the cultivation of "wet"
virtues (generosity, community, active merit-making) and dives
straight into "dry" observation, does the canon predict a specific
type of "meditation sickness" or mental rigidity? Does the Sivaka
Sutta (SN 36.21) offer a corrective to the view that all
physical/mental distress during practice is "karmic purification"
that must be passively endured?
I am interested in whether the texts treat "Dryness" not just as a technique (no Jhana), but as a potentially dangerous deficiency in the Seven Factors of Enlightenment (specifically the lack of Piti-sambojjhanga), and if such a deficiency is linked to "Wrong Deliverance" or Niyati-ditthi (fatalism).
Asked by Newton
(294 rep)
Jan 12, 2026, 04:21 PM
Last activity: Jan 12, 2026, 11:36 PM
Last activity: Jan 12, 2026, 11:36 PM