Tag: mental development

  • Love and Attachment

    In a worldly way, it is normal and praiseworthy that people are attached to family and friends. We are expected to display emotions that imply deep attachment and concern for our loved ones. In a Buddhist way, we try to remove attachment to all things including family and friends because any attachment is unsatisfactory and…

  • Resilience

    Yogis on retreats sometimes note pleasant feelings or painful feelings. Early in the retreat, the yogi may have relatively weak controlling faculties indriya [1. confidence saddha 2. wisdom/discernment panna 3. mindfulness sati 4. concentration samaadhi and 5. energy viriya] and not be very well developed or resilient. The yogi may be distracted by the various…

  • Mental Occupations – Skilful Mental Objects

    Beginners may develop a skilful mind by cultivatingthe five controlling faculties (indriya) and the five mental powers (bala)1. confidence (saddha)2. wisdom/discernment (panna)3. mindfulness (sati)4. concentration (samaadhi) and5. energy (viriya) andthe seven enlightenment factors (bojjha’nga) 1. mindfulness (sati)2. investigation (dhammavicaya)3. energy (viriya)4. joy/rapture (piiti)5. tranquillity (passadhi)6. concentration (samaadhi) and7. equanimity (upekkhaa) The four right strivings (samma-padhaana)…

  • The Removal of Distracting Thoughts

    MeditatingYogis, especially beginners, are often discouraged by distracting thoughts. They say that meditation is difficult and they want to give up because of distracting thoughts. Sincere yogis, can spend long periods sitting, walking or in other postures, apparently meditating but in fact, just thinking. Thoughts of the past, present and future keep arising and the…

  • Aasava, Jhaana, Kusala

    The suttas teach yogis about the practice for removing the aasava-taints so that kilesa-mental defilements no longer cause suffering. Samatha meditation also known as jhaana-absorption practice may temporarily suppress the taints but does not eliminate them. The complete removal of the taints is achieved with vipassana insight, the opening of the Dhamma eye of the…

  • Wise Attention to Eliminate Aasava-Taints

    Majjhimanikaaya MN.2. Sabbaasava Sutta: All the Taints (สัพพาสวสังวรสูตร)3. “Bhikkhus, I say that the destruction of the taints is for one who knows and sees, not for one who does not know and see. Who knows and what? Wise attention and unwise attention. When one attends unwisely, unarisen taints arise and arisen taints increase. When one…

  • Aasava – Taints are like a Seeping Abscess

    There have been moments when the mind is relatively clear and concentrated, peaceful and calm. Then an object that activates lust or anger arises and with that a subtle sensation in the chest area and at the back of the throat reminiscent of sickness also arises. Then sati-mindfulness and samaadhi-concentration declines and awareness becomes cloudy…

  • Strategic Intent Supported by Attention

    Our habitual mental states, our daily intentions and inclinations generate kamma. Lord Buddha encouraged us to diligently restrain the six sense doors and to wisely attend the skillful mental states that lead away from suffering and toward liberation. Samyuttanikaaya SN.II.12.38. Volition (เจตนาสูตรที่) At Saavatii. “Bhikkhus, what one intends, and what one plans, and whatever one…