We are honored to reprint and translate Master Su Chen's words here.
Today, let’s talk about Right Mindfulness.
The Concept of Right Mindfulness in Buddhist Philosophy
Right Mindfulness in Buddhist philosophy is an important meditative practice and part of the Noble Eightfold Path.
It involves maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, emotions, bodily sensations, and the surrounding environment with a clear and nonjudgmental mindset. This observation should be objective, just as a scientist would observe experimental phenomena.
The practitioner's purpose is to experience the present moment personally, rather than filter present experience through past experiences or future expectations.
Through this practice, practitioners can transcend ego-centric thought patterns and experience mental clarity and calmness.
The Status of Right Mindfulness in Buddhist Philosophy
Right Mindfulness holds a crucial position in Buddhist philosophy as a key step towards enlightenment and alleviation of suffering. Buddhist philosophy suggests that most mental and emotional pains stem from ignorance and attachment, and Right Mindfulness is a vital tool to break these bonds.
By practicing mindfulness, individuals can gradually perceive the true nature of things—impermanence, non-self, and suffering—reducing attachment to material or emotional states, leading to inner peace and harmony.
Practice "Right Mindfulness" with "Four Foundations of Mindfulness"
The practice of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness (Satipaṭṭhāna) is a central aspect of Buddhist practice, involving ongoing observation and awareness to cultivate Right Mindfulness.
The Four Foundations include mindfulness of the body, feelings, citta, and mental objects (dharma). Each foundation uses different objects of observation to foster profound mindfulness and awareness.
1. Mindfulness of the Body (Kayanupassana)
Mindfulness of the body involves observing various parts and states of the body. This includes the observation of breathing (Anapanasati), a basic yet powerful meditation technique.
Practitioners focus on their inhalation and exhalation, noting the breath’s length, depth, location, and sensations.
Besides mindfulness of breathing, one can practice walking meditation, maintaining awareness during walking, standing, sitting, and lying down.
2. Mindfulness of Feelings (Vedananupassana)
Mindfulness of feelings pertains to observing physical and emotional sensations—pleasant, unpleasant, or neutral.
This encompasses both bodily sensations and emotional responses triggered by external stimuli.
Practitioners learn to observe these feelings non-judgmentally, thereby understanding the impermanence of all sensations and reducing attachment to them.
3. Mindfulness of the Mind (Cittanupassana)
Mindfulness of the mind is being aware of the states and changes of the mind.
This includes recognizing whether the mind is greedy or not greedy, angry or not angry, deluded or clear, among other states.
Through such observation, practitioners can clearly see the fluctuations in mental activities and learn to maintain equanimity amid various emotional and thought waves.
4. Mindfulness of Mental Objects (Dhammanupassana)
Mindfulness of mental objects involves awareness of various principles taught in the Dharma, such as the Five Aggregates (form, sensation, perception, mental formations, consciousness), the Twelve Bases (eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, mind and their corresponding objects), and the law of causality.
This part of the practice helps practitioners deeply understand the profound teachings of Buddhist philosophy and address the fundamental issues of life and death at their root.
The Profound Significance of Right Mindfulness
Right Mindfulness is more than just a mental exercise or meditation technique; it is a comprehensive philosophy of life.
Practicing Right Mindfulness in everyday situations helps maintain composure during stress or adversity, enhances self-regulation over emotional and impulsive responses, and fosters empathy and compassion, improving interpersonal relationships.
Through Right Mindfulness, we learn to appreciate every moment of life and develop a deeper understanding and respect for our own and others' experiences.
Everyday Example of Applying Right Mindfulness
Consider a working professional facing daily stresses and interpersonal challenges. By practicing Right Mindfulness, when she feels stressed or anxious, she pauses to take deep breaths and observes her inner sensations and bodily state rather than reacting emotionally. This allows her to assess situations more objectively and make more rational decisions, helping maintain emotional balance, enhancing work efficiency, and improving the quality of her relationships.
For another example, if you are stuck in traffic on your way to work, this is a perfect opportunity to practice Right Mindfulness. In this case, you can focus on your breathing and observe the sensations in your body and the sounds around you. Doing this can help you step away from being anxious about traffic and return to the calmness of the present moment. In this way, you can not only better control your emotions, but also find peace in the midst of busyness and stress.
The path of Right Mindfulness practice is long and challenging, but the peace and enlightenment it brings are incomparable to any material achievement. Through regular practice and application, mindfulness profoundly transforms our way of living and quality of life, offering a tranquil haven amidst the hustle and bustle.
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