Tag: mindfulness

  • Bojjha’nga – Seven Factors of Awakening

    This is one of my favourite themes in the suttas. The Bojjha’nga show a progression of dependence in various wholesome states arising from attending to bhikkhus who are accomplished in virtue, concentration, wisdom, liberation, knowledge and vision of liberation.  I believe it is also possible to do this in our imaginations in a virtual way.…

  • Moral Conduct as the Basis for Spiritual Development

    Buddhist suttas-discourses are translated into English in various ways. Ven. Thanissaro Bhikkhu translates satipa.t.thaana as “the four frames of reference.” Others translate it as the four establishments of mindfulness or the four foundations of mindfulness. I prefer “the four establishments of mindfulness” or to just leave it in the Paali as satipa.t.thaana. This is the…

  • Nine ways to Sharpen the Controlling Faculties – Indriyas

    I copied/paraphrased these nine ways from two different English language translations of Ven. Sayadaw U Kundala’s Burmese language transcriptions of Dhamma talks. I’m sorry I don’t have the citation details since I left the books in Yangon. These nine ways are also in the Visuddhimagga (The Path of Purification) by Ven. Buddhaghosa, in the section…

  • Perth to Yangon

    My plans are clearer now though by no means certain. Postponed Trip to IndiaI am following good advice from friends and family not to go to India before the retreat in Myanmar.The disadvantages and inconveniences:1. I would be travelling there alone on the first trip and this is inherently stressful. It may be better for…

  • 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…

  • Noting the Object

    I read a few pages from Ven. Saydaw U Pandita’s book The State of Mind Called Beautiful. This is a great book for yogis practicing the technique of Ven. Mahasi Sayadaw. I found many excellent passages. The following instructions struck a chord with me.p. 88. A meditator’s mind must continuously enter and penetrate the object.…

  • 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…

  • Remedies for Restless Minds

    Five HindrancesLord Buddha identified five hindrances (nivaarana) to mental development: lust, anger, sleepiness, restlessness and doubt. There are many synonyms for these hindrances and other commentators may use different words. A keen student who is not familiar with these five hindrances would do well to study them further. Essentially these five hindrances are symptoms of…