Skillful Mindfulness
What resonates with me about this topic is Bhante G’s statement that “Happiness comes from within our own minds
through the use of mindfulness to clear away greed, hatred, and delusion. This secret of happiness is revealed as the layers
of impurities are peeled off though wisdom” (p. 195). Sandra often reminds us that this is a purification practice we’re
engaged in to remove what are traditionally known as defilements or unskillful mental habits. We cultivate mindfulness in
the present moment to give ourselves an increased opportunity to respond wisely.
“In each moment the whole cycle of suffering is powered by the mind’s unenlightened reactions to feelings. All
living beings, without exception, feel, and all unenlightened beings suffer from their reactions to their feelings”
(p. 209). If you were present at the Extended Practice Development day recently for Sandra’s dharma talk, you may remember
that feelings (pleasant, unpleasant, neutral) that arise as a result of contact via any one of the sense doors are the point
in the cycle of dependent origination where we can make a choice. Ultimately, the whole point of increasing mindfulness is
the ability to discern when contact has taken place and the immediate arising of the affect tone (feeling) that we experience
as a result of contact. This is the only opportunity we have to exercise what Andy Olendzki, one of my teachers, calls “won’t
power.” Won’t power is the ability to make a choice to alter the (otherwise) conditioned chain of events that
are born as a response to feeling.
At last month’s group meeting, we were exploring what topics we might pursue for the next study group cycle. Paticca
samupaddha (dependent origination) is the Buddha’s teaching that expands on the Four Noble Truths. The Four Noble
Truths were his teaching for the masses. Dependent origination is the teaching that reveals the sum of the Buddha’s
realization at his enlightenment.
May you be well,
Deb
The mindfulness of in and out breathing, of body contemplation, of keeping consciousness of the moment, is a noble occupation and a sublime way, leading to independence of mind and to wisdom.
--Samyutta Nikaya
Take heed that when effort is too strenuous it leads to strain and when too slack to laziness. So make a firm determination that you will adopt the middle way, not allowing yourself to struggle or to slacken, but recognizing that faith, energy, mindfulness, concentration, and wisdom are the fruits of a calm and equable way.
--Theragatha
We should always remember that meditation is the cultivation and practice of non-attachment. The Buddha taught only the middle way, and mindfulness is nothing but the middle way. It is neither an intense practice, nor can it be done without effort. It must be done with balance. Properly done, it is neither detached pushing away nor egoistic clinging. Be very careful about sitting down with ideas like, "I am sitting, I am watching, I am breathing, I am meditating, I am this, that is mine."
--Buddhadasa Bhikkhu, Mindfulness With Breathing
