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Post by spinynorman on Aug 15, 2014 12:18:38 GMT 1
Mindfulness is a central practice in Theravada and Zen, but does it have the same importance in other Buddhist traditions? |
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matt
Senior Member
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Post by matt on Aug 15, 2014 16:56:51 GMT 1
Good question. I am a little unclear what mindfulness means. One hears the term so much, but it is rarely defined. What does it mean to you, Spiny? In meditation it is said we should be alert and relaxed, and this is described using a lot of different terms that are all pretty close in meaning. During the day, I believe I really try to be mindful all the time, because I am checking if I am paying attention to what is happening around me, what thoughts, feelings and emotions are arising, whether I am feeling impatient for example, and what something that is said or done might mean to my practice. I try to really listen to people when they talk, and be kind to others, all that is very important. Obviously it is very gradual improvement. More than anything I am coming back to interdependence and emptiness a hundred times a day, particularly the emptiness of energy in and around my body, because this seems to have the greatest impact on my state of mind both in the short and long term. Are these examples of mindfulness?
Yesterday, I ran several errands preparing for a project. I noticed I was getting impatient in the first store waiting for a clerk, then checked myself and felt a little regret and made myself relax. Then right out side the store I felt impatient in traffic and started to think critical thoughts of another driver, I noticed that and thought, wow, I am really impatient today, I wonder why? I feel fine, I have no reason to be in a hurry. Then the next store a clerk was chatting with a distributer while I was waiting for help. I felt impatient again, and stood a little closer to them than I needed to. Then I had to really investigate why I was being impatient, and I felt regret and was determined to do better. The rest of the day I was pretty calm, and things went smoothly. Does any of this equal mindfulness?
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Post by spinynorman on Aug 15, 2014 17:14:19 GMT 1
Good question. I am a little unclear what mindfulness means. One hears the term so much, but it is rarely defined. What does it mean to you, Spiny? In meditation it is said we should be alert and relaxed, and this is described using a lot of different terms that are all pretty close in meaning. During the day, I believe I really try to be mindful all the time, because I am checking if I am paying attention to what is happening around me, what thoughts, feelings and emotions are arising, weather I am feeling impatient for example, and what something that is said or done might mean to my practice. I try to really listen to people when they talk, and be kind to others, all that is very important. Obviously it is very gradual improvement. More than anything I am coming back to interdependence and emptiness a hundred times a day, particularly the emptiness of energy in and around my body, because this seems to have the greatest impact on my state of mind both in the short and long term. Are these examples of mindfulness? Yes, it sounds like you're practising mindfulness.  I see it as both passive and active, ie being mindful and acting mindfully.
The bit about coming back to interdependence and emptiness sounds interesting, could you say a bit more, maybe give some examples?
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matt
Senior Member
Posts: 425
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Post by matt on Aug 15, 2014 17:47:46 GMT 1
[/p] The bit about coming back to interdependence and emptiness sounds interesting, could you say a bit more, maybe give some examples?
[/quote] Well, those aspects of my practice can be hard to describe, especially in a few words. There are conceptual components, those could be explained at length, but then there is a lot that is direct and non-conceptual and that can't really be put in words. Over the years I have written a lot about the Union of Wisdom and Method on this forum. Much of it went into the ether when the forum crashed. A few people said they found it helpful, but most probably did not. So no great loss. Anyway, in a nut shell I would say that to me the world always has two simultaneous descriptions, one is ordinary reality, the other is energy. Mind generates energy and this gives rise to what we call reality, is the way I understand it. Everything and everyone is connected with this energy. We and everything are this energy. On the other hand, ultimately all these things and beings and even the energy that generates appearances are an illusion. Understanding that we and all phenomena are all interdependent, is the mundane or relative truth, and this informs how I approach the Ultimate truth which is that it is all empty. The energy I experience is often polluted with negative emotions and self cherishing of one form or another. This pollution is interdependent and empty as well. I usually begin with a thought as to its nature, then a kind of concentration that can be quite brief if I am doing something other than meditating, then I feel winds, dissolving and a definite sense of unwinding and lightening. This is the purification process. The cumulative effect over time is I have become less timid and fearful, much calmer in general and my body feels lighter and more open. I am always aware that there is a lot left to purify. Hard to describe another version of reality using language meant for this one. Anyway, this is the bulk of my practice, and so while I am trying to be mindful, passive and active, as you say, it all returns my attention to my energetic condition as it has the most impact on my state of mind and any issues that arise. The bigger Bodhisatva concerns, being mindful of these, that really augments and informs the purification process. Wanting all sentient beings to benefit, aspiring to that helps the whole process a great deal. |
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I see it as both passive and active, ie being mindful and acting mindfully.