Good point, Dave.

I think it would be difficult to imagine how we could "contemplate the body in the body". To make it more literal and still be meaningful, how about "contemplating the body in terms of the body" or "contemplating the body in regard to the body"?


Btw, I think "contemplate" is a poor choice for "anupassati". What does "contemplate" mean in English? My dictionary (WordWeb) provides these definitions:
1. Look at thoughtfully; observe deep in thought
2. Consider as a possibility
3. Think intently and at length, as for spiritual purposes
4. Reflect deeply on a subject

Every meaning of "contemplate" carries the idea of 'thinking'. This is hardly what a satipatthana meditator is supposed to do.

Besides, the word "anupassati" does not carry the idea of thinking at all. Rather it means "repeated seeing", or "seeing again and again", which is what a meditator is supposed to do mentally.

Perhaps "observe" is a better choice. Quite a few meanings of the word do fit well with what meditators are supposed to do, e.g.
* Observe with care or pay close attention to
* Watch attentively
* Follow with the eyes or the mind
* Observe correctly or closely

I like "observe correctly". :-)

kb

P G Dave wrote thus at 03:06 AM 14-04-07:

>Dear Karen,
>
>Keeping language and grammar apart for a moment, I was just wondering how as
>a meditator you would differentiate in practice, "contemplating the body as
>the body" AND "contemplating the body in the body" and attempt one or the
>other if the two were indeed different in practice.
>
>thanks.
>metta,
>P G Dave