Vipassana Meditation: Simplifying the Key Stages

The 10 Fetters (Mental Chains)

I. The First Three Fetters — Eradicated at Stream-entry (Sotāpanna)

1. Self-illusion (sakkāya-diṭṭhi)
Seeing self as fixed or permanent.

2. Doubt/Skepticism (vicikicchā)
Uncertainty about the path or teachings.

3. Attachment to Rites and Rituals (sīlabbata-parāmāsa)
Clinging to misguided practices as the path to liberation. Indulgence in rites and ceremonies as ends in themselves.

II. The Next Two Fetters — Weakened at Once-returner (Sakadāgāmī) & Eradicated at Non-returner (Anāgāmī)

4. Sensual Desire (kāma-rāga)
Craving pleasant sensory experiences.

5. Ill Will (vyāpāda)
Aversion or hostility toward self or others.

III. The Higher Five Fetters — Eradicated at Arahant

6. Craving for fine-material existence (rūparāga)
Desire to be born in fine material worlds.

7. Craving for immaterial existence (arūparāga)
Desire to be born in formless worlds.

8. Conceit (māna)
Comparing self with others.

9. Restlessness (uddhacca)
Mental agitation or distraction.

10. Ignorance (avijjā)
Not seeing things as they truly are.

Please read here for further details.

Stages of Vipassana Meditation Insights

From Second to Final Enlightenments

Cycle restarts at Stage 4 after each enlightenment

First Enlightenment (Eradicates the first three fetters)

Stage 11: Equanimity (Balance in awareness)

Stages 8-10: Disgust → Desire for Deliverance → Re-observation

Stages 5-7: Dissolution → Fear → Misery

Stage 4: First breakthrough (Knowledge of arising and passing away)

Stages 1-3: Initial Insights (mind-body observation, seeing cause and effect, realizing impermanence)

Beginner: Perception unclear

Please read here for further details.

I am doing this to help other meditators, especially those in the beginner stage. Stage 4 is highly stigmatized because it can be mistaken for enlightenment — but recently I realized it is actually a breakthrough, as we cannot unsee what we have already seen. Stages 5 through 7 may be the most difficult for the majority, and during this time, traumatic memories can also resurface, and meditators need to be mindful of that. It is common for people to expect meditators, even in the beginner stage, to behave like arahants. There are many fetters to cut and stages to go through, and we cannot be like arahants until we truly become one. A stream-enterer can still do wrong things, but not to the extent that they would fall into hell or a lower realm anymore. Even non-returners still have five fetters to cut and retain certain levels of conceit, ignorance, restlessness, and craving. Please be mindful not to criticize others—or yourself—for that. Please also note that insight stages and cycles are not linear.

Books by Mahāsi Sayadaw Dhamma Talks by Mogok Sayadaw Stages of the Path: Stream Entry and Beyond

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