Showing posts with label Vipassana. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vipassana. Show all posts
    New article by someone from China on how the realization of Anatta and Dependent Origination led to the end of his suffering, and how this is the Only way to end suffering.
    One of the super rare people in China that I have ascertained to have realized anatta. Despite it being such a huge country.
    中篇
    【前注:那一个个毫无预料的瞬间状态,没有概念、思想能够生起,一个刹那本身就是一个全新内容,很难用文字语言表述其内容,为了提供一定参考性,使用了概念语句做解释】
    先是,天崩地裂般的绝望感同时生起,顿时,感觉自我身心彻底粉碎!这是对追求乐受、逃避苦受欲望的彻底舍弃!这是对自我存在感维护的彻底破灭!
    紧接的一个瞬间:是从未经历的极度的清醒、宁静、开放;
    再紧接着的瞬间呈现:当下只是整体式存在——相互渗透、不停变异,被生被灭,无法分割,无法停留……或者说,当下的感觉只是各种条件相互又相续的影响、组合的兑现,而不是“我”的对应感觉,即“我与非我的二元对立感”消融!
    随后瞬间生起了:“根本无我”,或说心、感觉本身就是“根本无我”;同时,一切建立在“有我”基础上的世界观、方法论、价值观、意义性、合理性、矛盾性、对抗性……相对应的挣扎、纠结、束缚……甚至概念本身,如大厦般瞬间轰然倒塌了!
    再接着的瞬间:感觉一下从无着无落的悬着的状态落了回来,从未有过的踏实感、轻松感、平静感!
    再无欲求,再没有想要和不想要的!
    再不需得到什么或舍弃什么了!
    再不需依赖任何状态、条件了!
    是的,再无所进,也再无所退的——再无不满的圆满!
    其实,以上这些瞬间合起来,也不过还是一个刹那的感觉,思考是无法根上的,亦生不出概念。
    真正的思维生起,是在踏实感出现之后——
    “结束了。”是的,心中纠结、恐惧、患得患失……都已化解,彻底结束。真是难以想象,不可思议。真就象做了一场噩梦,终于醒来——原来生命中,根本就没有实存独立个体,也没有令人不满的事物啊!
    太震惊的真相!
    佛陀、一切觉者,一定也是见证到这个真相后才解脱的!当时,心就是如此笃定认为。
    虽然,这真相、这灭苦过程,跟我之前对佛教的一些理解判断不太一致。
    而这令苦永息的真相竟如此简单——
    任何状态本就体现着无量条件组合下的无我,只要暂时彻底放下贪乐嗔苦的渴爱心态,当下就会见证到心自身的无常性、被生性和无我性。同时,就体验到了因不“挑剔”无量条件组合下的身心内外状态后的心灵圆满。
    原来破除不满,不是在缘生法则下呈现的一个个状态中寻求圆满,也就是它非缘生,而是破除有我的错误知见,反而不再执取渴爱缘生事物,从而再无造作的心,就必无不满。
    相反,不解脱的心,就恰恰是因为,始终在评判依缘生的生命状态内外的好坏、对错、乐苦,再以寻乐避苦、贪好嗔坏方式,在无常、无我的缘生事物中预求常乐我净,预求解脱于苦,怎能不失败。
    我感受到人们就象爬山一样,艰难前行,似乎身后、脚下无不是恐怖、不满,只有不断前行才能避开,却永无尽头。但只要停下来,放下对脚下有不满的成见,生起无贪无嗔的中立心,就会立刻明白,哪里都无恐怖、不满的呀。
    但人们的心就象上了发条,停不下来。从不怀疑自我的绝对存在(或有不死灵魂的常见论;或有生前无我,死后无我,唯此一生是我的断见论),太习惯了那种是非评判,无法自拔。可这一切,又无不是缘生法则的必然结果,从没有真正独立的任何个体。
    每个人的身心状态,完完全全是条件间的组合运化,按部就班,依其相应属性、规律运作着,生灭变化着。或可说,一切状态本是自然缘生法则的兑现,皆是“天意”,其变化过程皆是必然,因果皆非偶然。
    因缘而果的事实,恰恰证明了生命无灵魂,而不是相反。而象许多人,执取着因果中的如何获取乐受式福报,不生苦受式恶报,就是贪乐嗔苦、趋吉避凶灭苦法,它却实是令不满丛生,妄生之我轮回不止的造苦法!
    此时,心还是那般从未有过的平静、踏实,没有兴奋,没有激动。慢慢开始感觉到身体的存在,不经意间,感觉到脸上似乎很湿。伸手去摸,是水,满脸。哪来的水?立刻反应过来,这是泪水。可什么时候流的,竟然不知。
    猜测着,是喜极而泣?以前有过这种经历,成功的喜悦,激动得真能流泪。可这次,几个瞬间直到现在,没有一丝兴奋、激动,这似乎也是一种成功,甚至算是真正的彻底成功,可却没有兴奋、激动,只是一种平常心态和少有的踏实平静感。
    对了,这眼泪定是之前,剧烈煎熬、纠结恐惧时流出来的。一定是的,可想而知,当时痛苦到何种程度,竟然连流泪不止都丝毫不觉。
    心中生起一丝微笑,不是自嘲,而是宽容——当时吓得不得了,患得患失,原来根本就无我,无所得无所失。人们何尝不是如此,难以放弃心目中的欲求对象,特别是自我。这一步太难了,更主要是太难相信,也就不愿尝试见证。
    擦着泪水,同时也睁开了眼睛,天还没亮,不知时间几点,昏暗中,看着周边不清楚的一切,充满了新鲜感,甚至“明亮”感,这是心摆脱了有记忆以来,对生命错误的认知和其带来的负面心理后,呈现出的感觉。
    经历了这从未经历过的全新体验,傲慢、自卑、恐惧、懊悔、仇怨、委屈、无助、孤独、紧张、纠结……等负面阴暗的心理情绪消散了,感觉遇到的一切都是光明的、亲切的、无害的、相融合一的,心内外从未有的轻松、安祥、无碍、解脱……
    这时才明白,所谓的自己乃至人们,一生中真正在不停忙碌的工作,就是在解决心中生起的种种不满!
    但是,几乎所有人使用的方法都错了,甚至是完全颠倒了。它不是在消除不满,而是在不停地、想方设法制造着不满欲求!
    那就是——以“自我”为中心,不断对生活中的种种状态,生起“挑剔”式的思维:哪个好,哪个更好;然后是如何生出这好的,又如何保持住这好的;再然后,又如何生出更好的……正所谓,生活中有不满,才有欲望追求,才有奋斗目标,才有生活动力嘛。
    于是,心灵便始终处在饥渴般的不满中……
    自己就是这样苦苦经历了几十年,人们又何尝不是如此,在黑暗、恐惧中挣扎……所谓成功的喜悦,也不过象是难得的麻醉剂式的安慰,喜悦、满足感更是贪恋、预保住这结果的紧抓、执取心态的呈现……心始终在得失成败间纠结扭曲,摇摆不定,何曾真正轻松、自由过?
    那一刻,心中自然生起悲悯,哪有什么仇敌、恶魔——只有一个个因不明真相而被折磨得无比可怜的生命;只有一颗颗运用着错误的灭苦方法却不自知,而结果是始终造苦的无比可悲的心灵。
    心也生起了一种感恩,正是这无量众缘和合而生现象,造就了无限生命,造就了心当下的万千感受。感觉中的不同内容、个体对象,无不是“自我”生命当下活着的体现。真正的慈心,不仅是散发平等慈爱,更是一种感恩下的回报,而绝不是一种施舍。
    【注:心中这些想法,也就是一个个内容不同的感觉本身,依然只是众条件和合下的必然兑现,无我的】
    下篇
    下面,再从我后来进一步了解的佛法知识,来解读我的这次体验的几个关键点,以便朋友们更有借鉴参考性。
    首先,我发愿本身只是个形式,但是个契机,它的内容的实质,是在让我对心中追求的喜欢的事物、境界、状态的彻底割舍,对心中不喜欢的对象的彻底接纳,从而生起彻底无贪无嗔的清醒、中立心。这也是与自己及世人们普遍使用的贪乐嗔苦法的彻底决裂,即是与生苦法的决裂。
    但达成这点显然很难的,这就是我当时纠结、痛苦、绝望的原因。这就是正确灭苦法与错误灭苦法(实是生苦法),这两种不共法在内心的强烈对抗!
    最终,生起的心选择了正法,瞬间生起了无贪无嗔无痴的彻底清静之心。
    生起的(随顺)心,因无贪执成见,还其本来的呈现了其对象的众缘和合性。
    当然,其后,以有我为基础的种种世界观、方法论、价值取向……总之,一切关于有我的认知构建被瓦解。
    接着,便是生起了“心原本无我”的心。同时,因有我才产生的造作心态也自然终结。
    这样,随后生起的心彻底无不满,亲证圆满——涅槃。
    再也不纠结活着的未来怎样怎样了,无论知不知道发生什么;也再不纠结死后有后及去不去哪的问题了,不管知不知道答案,答案是真是假。
    因为生命中的生老病死……一切现象,本是众缘和合,根本无我!
    原来这本没有魔、没有敌、没有“不满”的才是醒来的“真实世界”,它是多么“极乐”!
    世人可说都活在苦中挣扎,千方百计乃至饥不择食般、甚至不择手段的,预灭心中那份似挥之不去的不满之痛,却看不见、不理解这非常简单的解脱之道——
    只是让心彻底“放假、休息下来”,即对感受的一切,放下成见,不去“挑剔滋事”,不设目标,不求结果,没有了“想要”和“不想要”,那该是怎样的轻松、宁静、开放……而这当下便是觉知的本然,真相的回归,苦的止息处。
    我们的心已太习惯“造作”,无事生非。挑剔的心是那样的痛苦、疲惫,却仍以为是由于是非、对错、利弊分的还不够清;乐受的刺激不够多、不够强,福报不够,苦受不够少,恶报没消……造成的。其结果是,不断加强着这本不存在的我与我之外的对立,对立下的矛盾自然生起……
    绝难想到,相反之路才是正道——心见证了真实无我,对立消融,一切矛盾自化,心中何来不满,唯无时无处不在的圆满、极乐、解脱……
    生活本该如此活着!
    见证了无我的心,坦然、真诚、无畏……它明白,今后要做的最主要的事,便是以自身经验为参考,提醒人们反思,从而来尝试实践,以验证这真正能彻底解决心灵痛苦的方法。
    心做如此判断,这只是自然缘生法则的必然规律使然。未来,身心的种种做法、表现,也同样是如此。
    从缘生法的无我角度看,或从根本、究竟上说,并没有某个体多么“伟大”,没有什么“救世主”拯救众生;也不存在某个体多么“恶毒”。可说,生命中的一切,都是自然缘生法则下形成的差异万千、相续不断、变化无穷的无量“花絮”。
    解脱、非解脱现象,均是缘生法的呈现,各有其规律及不同的特征属性。
    那一晚后,过去那些认为有意义价值的东西可说是全部被颠覆,甚至不知如何去跟亲朋们交流说话了,过去习惯下的大脑思路、逻辑、价值取向、概念实质、生死现象……被冲破支解,象悬在半空中,不适应……
    其后几天里,就是重新“洗牌”,梳理思路,回到这个所谓的“现实”世界。
    这也是我没有马上找老友的原因之一。另外,双方的灭苦价值观已是大相径庭,难以沟通。如何表述,能让老友有所理解,的确成了难题。
    其间,无论怎样不适应,心都不再纠结、不满,即不会认为它不正常,不该发生。
    我感受过身体重负去除后的那份轻松,而心灵负担解脱的那种轻松,过去从未体验过。现在,连身体都感觉轻飘飘,这感觉持续了多日,直到逐渐适应。
    由于心理上的重要变化,负面心理的消失,生理上也必然有相应改变。因不是本文重点,从略。
    值得一提的是,本人已饮酒近二十年,后几年更是日日或说顿顿要喝酒(我已多年不吃早饭了),量还不断递增。曾几次试图戒酒或说少喝,都没能成功。经历了那晚的第二天,已发现对它没一丝贪瘾了,从那天起至今,滴酒未沾。
    其实,一切感观对象到思想内容,都没有了对它们的贪嗔执著,自然包括性欲。这也曾让我对夫妻生活,一时不知如何应对。
    话说回来,经过近两周的准备,才在第二个星期六的上午,拨通了老友的电话:
    我找到答案了,在家吗,面谈……
    【说明:本人其他的一些文章,可以说是在借助对佛法经典的阐述,来解读我的这次亲身经历。均是仅供朋友们参考】
    面对不满,你敢于“坐以待毙”吗?
    Original 之觉 觉世间 2022-06-08 23:00 Posted on 河北
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    欲除心中不满,不是寻找哪种因果更好,而是来见证因果无我。即:不是探寻哪个结果好,而是发现一切本——缘生无我。
    这才是觉者通过亲证成功后,揭示的唯一灭苦之路。
    而前者是不满欲生之路,世人灭苦思路多颠倒于此,结果心中不满种种,此灭彼生不断。
    生活本不苦,因不见缘生而苦。无法逃避,哪种形式不是生活呢。
    对于尚有不满的朋友们,应在种种生活感受中,去体验它的缘生过程,而非结果的好坏上。
    一切感受之态,无论好坏,都必然是依众缘合生而无常、非我的。唯见证此者,心灵之苦方永不再生,除此没有其他正确的灭苦方法了。
    许多灭苦行者,把苦灭或说涅槃想象、理解为是某种未经历的好感觉、妙状态或完美的环境,这是极大的误区。它必然令行者的心对已发生、未发生,特别是对当下发生的,无论自身还是外境的感受状态仍生起贪嗔不满,而不能如实客观见证它的“本来面目”——缘生性。这其实是,又回到了错误的灭苦老路上,故其非灭苦而是实生心灵之苦。
    当心灵产生痛苦时,不要急着寻求什么方法来对治、解决它。诸如听音乐、看电影、吃东西、找人谈心、看些心灵鸡汤文、种种冥想、各种入定等,通过对眼、耳、鼻、舌、身、意的刺激转移法;或因喜欢谁或痛恨谁而不满,就直接想方设法创造条件去达成……
    是的,朋友,先不要这样做。
    而是学着尝试放弃一切方法【注:相对安全的环境下】,那么就只剩下感受着的痛苦。也同样无需想着“要单凭觉知看清痛苦、生命、身心的真相”等之类的念头,因那仍是想解决痛苦的欲贪、攀缘式方法。
    总之,当生起什么对治烦恼想法的时候,觉察到时就放弃掉。慢慢尝试,就会体验到这不满的心痛根本无需“主动”寻求什么方法【注:这些方法可说,正是过去一直使用,但始终令痛苦此消彼长不断的——依挑剔生渴爱,从而攀缘的模式】来对治解决,它仍会变化而消弱至消失。
    当体会到了这点后,便会开始有信心接受这种过去从未尝试的方式,慢慢习惯了这种“只是觉知”模式,全然面对、接纳当下的心态【注:或称不迎不拒、无贪无嗔无痴、无寻无伺、清明随顺……】才会逐渐成熟,最终会见证当下觉知状态或说生命现象的众缘合和的属性,即自然缘生法则——无常性、被动性、非我性。心由此不再于任何状态挣扎、挑剔、造作,欲贪不满心态也自此消除。
    值得一提的是,不是指不作事或作事不需方法,生活中的行为并不受限。而是指不满心态生起时,不要想方设法去解决,要不作为,只感受它。
    如吃饭时,对饮食生贪生嗔了,觉察到时,不要跟着这找好吃的想法“跑”。学着静静感受着那贪嗔心态……这样,生活中随时随地(生命安全下)生起贪嗔心态时,都能如此练习培养这“只是觉知”的“不作为”,自然原来使用的那些灭苦之法就会渐渐停用。
    这种面对不满的“坐以待毙”模式,毙亡的只是原错误的灭苦思路、方法、习惯,乃至最终是心中不满的彻底消除、止息,而同时复活的则是生活里心的圆满、极乐!
    也就是说,当我们心中生起不满、想要怎样时,一旦知道它,就不要迎合它了,不要想法儿去“满足”它,保持就只是知道。
    “坐以待毙”喻指的就是这里。其实,经典中让我们拥有正见、保持正念、以戒为师,其核心点也在这儿的。
    佛法是见证身心世间一切唯缘(条件)控而非有“我”控的方法,而之所以见证此真相,是因为这是唯一令我们生活中永不再生不满的真相。而佛法也是唯一能见证此真相的方法,有次第规律,亦需亲历践行。
    如孤独时,往往会生起“无聊”的思判,进而引生情绪波动“不爽”……
    若还象以前一样,或多数人那样?找喜欢的聊友、听喜欢的、看喜欢的、吃喜欢的、做喜欢的……什么心灵音乐、所谓喜欢的开示、友间的倾心互吐、所谓的静心禅修……本质还是肯定那一系列“不喜欢”的评判结论,跟着思想走,而且是尚不能确定正误的思判。这正是世人灭苦思路,也是绝大多数人走的,包括许多所谓修行人。
    若冷静反思后,放下一切原来惯用的方法,不作为的“欣赏”当下的所谓无聊状态,才是最佳。
    原有的无论怎样的方法,都是看似临时奏效,然终会失败,无法根除这不满心态。
    不仅无聊,一切烦恼皆如是,那是有“我”的惯性思维,而寻方设法只是造作的延续,见证不了“我”的真实面目——缘生属性。
    学会知道它就足够了,它自会消失,那“自”背后的缘生无我才会显现于心。
    见证者再无心灵上的种种不满之苦。
    孤独不是坏事,本不无聊,是妄心认其不好而无聊,不明此妄心而迎合“它不好”的妄评,去设法寻好,岂不知那所谓好的标准仍是痴心妄想出来的。
    心中认可的“好”状态真出现了,如意了,那不是烦恼没了,而是嗔心变贪心了,心中不满依在的。
    当不满之念生起后,不去进一步想对治方法,不满情绪亦会变化,慢慢开始适应——不是非寻求、依赖什么方法才能摆脱这情绪。并会进一步发现这不满只是来自对觉知状态的思维评判!
    对感知状态的好坏、是非评判,必导致贪好嗔非的不满欲求心态,心会兴奋、激动或紧张、压迫……
    灭苦是见证各状态究竟如何发生的,而不是鉴别它们有什么问题,要哪个不要哪个,故不是提升挑剔它们好坏的能力。
    放下是非评判,便没有了贪嗔,才会平等接纳感知的当下,才会见证了无论怎样的感知状态都有的那个共性——缘生无我。
    而我们不是在用正确灭苦法,就必然是在用错误的方法,没有中间。
    世间错误灭苦法是培养对“自我”、一切事物独立存在感的加强能力,也便加强了“自我”对身心内外状态可挑剔、可改造的认同感及能力感,反让心不断生起不满欲望,来成为生活的动力,在乐苦挑剔后的趋乐避苦模式中轮回;而彻灭苦的方法完全相反。
    其实,一切烦恼不是他人他物造成的,只是自心的“扭曲”。
    所以当两人争辩而不满对方时,问题不在风动对还是帆动对,好象谁的对就能解决不满似的,不是的,皆是自心问题,“自己”的心不再扭曲,谁对谁错,风动还是帆动,乃至世间、社会、他人怎样怎样,都不会再令心生不满。
    反之,世间如何得和平,他人如何得对你好,自心仍会欲贪无止时。所以,六祖惠能是找到苦因症结者,故说“仁者心动”,这动就是指自心因无明而生起的不满乃至造作心态。
    而解决方法不是纠正改造这心,而是观它,只观它,观它不停变来变去,生生灭灭,不需再做什么……
    这个心,这个它,就是一个个千变万化的感觉本身。
    现在正这样,正感觉到身体,正感觉到声音,正想着事情,这就是心。学着练习不断“轻松放开”它们,知道发生了就够了,这当然也是心——单纯觉知的心。
    这感觉内容是粗是细,是身体还是想法,是听还是看,是内还是外,是贪还是啥……均无妨,慈心接纳,平等放过。
    对过去、当下、未来的想要、不想要,可说都是自我式、成见式逻辑思路,已对事物状态本身打上了“不满”、“更好”等的标签,然后必然带着贪嗔期许心态去行为,对其后的各种变化状态也就自然以好坏、对错、成败……来评判,而不是、也不能客观看待它们的变化……
    其实,真正灭苦修行,培养的只是放下这期待的心态,放下对事物状态本身有“不满、圆满”的思路,这样慢慢才会于当下渴爱不生、贪嗔不生,“成见”不生,直至生起了观者与被观对象“合一”之心,生命状态本来面目即现——依缘生依缘灭而无我,此谓如实见法。
    例如,常说的“不除妄想不求真”,就是指坐以待毙式的对不想要、想要心态的放舍,便会如其本来的了知身心实相。
    真正苦灭,不是因找到了好的状态、环境或说完善了自我而无所不能;而只是见证了这个自我生命状态的缘生无我,而不是哪好哪不好……这也是其方法是——唯观照身心内外无常性、逼迫性、非我性、(无实的空性),而非其它的原因所在。正如《杂阿含经》将此称“正观”,再无其它正观。也是《心经》中达成“度一切苦厄”的“究竟涅槃”唯需“照见五蕴皆空”,而非其它。且“三世诸佛”都唯依此方法成就……
    人们生气、恐忧时,那是对事物状态的嗔心;某些缘来后,使事物状态改变,令人又欢喜,那是对该状态的贪心。如生病时不高兴、恐惧,健康后的欢喜;未达要求标准的失败而生起的懊恼,对成功生起的喜悦;……等等。
    而人们往往所谓的修行,也是内心先设定了一个个“好、对”的标准后,便朝着那个标准修行起来,这同样是在培养贪嗔呢。
    正确的灭苦修行,就是放下对过去、当下乃至未来事物状态的是非评判标准,唯剩无期待的当下觉知。这便是无贪无嗔无痴的心态——正定。由此运行的生命感知状态,便是唯观身心无常,即正观。
    也由此,才能达成《杂阿含经》首篇里的“生厌离”——出离对身心内外状态的主观偏见式执取,才能“喜贪尽”——对生命中一切已发生、正发生、未发生状态再无饥渴般欲求,才会“心解脱”——心中不满彻底解除。从此生活在无忧无虑、无贪嗔,即无一切负面情绪的圆满心态中……
    朋友,来培养练习——面对一切不满的坐以待毙式心态吧:
    觉知到不满心意时,不迎合贪心亦不排斥嗔心,唯观其变,只知变的才是觉心……
    起先,内心或会有各种念头情绪生起,若想要它们怎样,再寻法对治,就上这个“我”的想法的当了。就只是知道——是唯一法,重点在“只是”。我们以前则是,知道后又对其再评是论非,然后想要是,不想要非,不满纠结心态必生,欲求期待心态亦随生。
    所以,觉知到烦恼时【注:说明引生烦恼的是非思判已生起过并相信了它】,先练习放弃——以往迎合它去寻消烦增乐的方法【注:即初步不跟着是非思判继续寻方觅法找是寻好】,接着练习不执取——引生烦恼的种种是非思判,就只剩对当下状态的独觉……
    这是绝少人走的真正灭苦路,所以成者寥寥无几的。
    只有靠自己——自己的不依思判的纯然觉知,成就“独自”的觉者之路。
    当你独自一人时,可说是良机来时,若得出孤独、无聊的结论,要质疑这评判,放开这结论,而唯依这“坐以待毙”式独觉见分晓……

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    Soh Wei Yu
    The first part:
    ——一次刻骨铭心般的体验
    点击上方【 觉世间 】,关注更多内容
    Image
    因某缘而成此文,仅供那些未找到解脱方向而仍在痛苦中迷茫的朋友们参考。
    上篇
    那是2012年7月的一个深夜。
    家人已入睡,四十已过的我,独自在另一间屋的床上坐着,内心逐渐平静下来,也隐隐感觉到心中仍挥之不去的纠结、迷茫、忧虑……
    本就打算那晚思考一下,未来何去何从,这源于上半年两位亲人的因病相继离世。老人们生前遭受疾病的折磨,对生的渴望,仍历历在目……
    对人生意义再次怀疑:人活着究竟为了什么?!虽有快乐,但也有那么多痛苦。
    为了他人的快乐?可人类再怎么努力,如今,家人们、人类不还是有喜亦有悲,恐忧不满从未止息。这又有多大意义可言。
    社会生活中种种压力、大自然的种种灾难,而疾病、衰老、死亡,更是无法避免。
    真的就只能这样——设法寻求着种种快乐,但仍在程度不同的痛苦中活着,这就是生命的规律、真相吗?!
    到底有没有终极解决痛苦的办法呢?
    其实几天前,就已与老友讨论过这些话题,我说的离世亲人之一,就是他刚刚去世不久的母亲,另一位是我年初去世的父亲。当时,我们初步决定从呼声很高的佛教入手,看看它里面究竟有没有我们想要的方法、答案。
    我对佛教方面的知识,了解的很少,甚至“佛法”这个词都少用,一说就是佛教。“三法印、四圣谛”之类,没啥印象。无常、缘、空、六道轮回,极乐世界……倒知道,象是来自佛教。而无我!没有印象。再说,怎么会无我呢。一直以为佛教是让人——这个我及众生,甚至可能还有的灵魂,怎么获得“极乐”,摆脱痛苦,摆脱不喜欢的一切,包括老病死。
    当然,它里面说的是对的吗,真能达到吗,如何达到?都不清楚,都有怀疑。
    早期它曾经给我的印象,就多是迷信、宗教、消极避世为主,最近通过一些针对性了解,有了改变,结论是,它智慧博大精深,境界玄妙无比,佛菩萨神通广大,大乘圆满,神咒灵验,修炼法门众多,累世修行,因果报应,涅槃解脱……之类。
    那么,这么多内容,要了解它的对错真伪,该从哪入手呢?
    因为我认为,只有知道,这佛教是对是错,能否有效,才有下一步的如何依方法去达成。
    而我在当时面对的种种生活矛盾、困苦、疑惑中,自然想尽快找到其真相、答案。那么,有快捷途径吗?
    思索中,“心诚则灵”!这词突然映入脑海。只是听人们常说起它,从未真正留意,更未尝试过。
    如果真有效,似乎是个快速验证的方法。不妨一试。
    可进一步一想,怎么样才能心诚呢?如果我还不知道佛教是对是错,尚无信任,我怎么能对它真诚起来呢,但,若不能绝对真诚,又怎么能给我真正想要的灵验结果呢!
    我一下被这思路卡在了那里。怎么办?
    这时,我想到了一种如果式发愿法。就是发愿——如果你是真的,让我见证真相,我就如何如何做。
    对呀,这样就解决了上面的死循环。
    那具体这个如何如何做,选什么事呢?当然,是付出代价的事——或者是把自己好的东西奉献出来,或者是做对众生有利的善举……
    我想到了一条:如果让我明白生命真相,或者让我确信真有不再受苦的解脱境界或极乐世界,我此生宁愿不去那里,甘愿把这个真相及方法告诉世人。
    但我又一想,如果生命不止一生,即的确是有不死的灵魂呢?这一生才剩几十年了,这样的“愿”是否太轻了,我能得到那个绝对真正的真相吗,还是“掺了水份”的呢,甚至假的。那样话,当然也就无法证明发愿及心诚则灵有没有效果了。
    于是又决定,既然要试,就把付出的“代价”提到极至,那样如果心诚则灵这事是真实的,也应该会给我真实无虚的终极答案吧。
    这样,我把誓言再加上了一句:若有无量世,那就永远留在人间,直至最后一人解脱!
    为什么选“人间”,因为此生几十年来,我已深深感受过了许多痛苦,若有六道,其他道我也没有体验过的记忆,还不如这人世间的痛苦更真切啊。
    也就是,我不想让誓言有一丝水份!
    当刚一“完善”出这誓言,顿时心中的纠结、犹豫、恐惧……便笼罩了我——
    是啊,若明明知道了有美好解脱,却永不能“享受”,要始终在人间受着各种苦,是始终、永远啊!那我图什么呢,本来就是要脱离这痛苦,怎么成了近乎“永远”不脱离呢!
    我感觉要崩溃了,怎么思来想去,成了这种局面!这不是生不如死!是连死都不如的绝望啊!
    一个想法跳出来:可不可以发小点儿愿?马上又转念,那不还是有水份,失去意义。
    又一个想法跳出来:可不可以发假愿,到时不履行呢?想啥呢,骗得了自己吗,或真理也给你个假的,骗你呢!
    天那,这可咋办?
    不发愿了吧,再找其他办法或回到不知真相的迷茫生活?
    决不!再也不想如此不明不白活下去了;至于再找其他办法,若有不受苦就轻易得到的办法,人们早找到了,自己也早该知道了。或许是有捷径,如果这誓愿真有效的话,但绝不会是无代价的,而且必是巨大的代价!
    想到这儿,渴望解脱真相的心与恐惧人间苦受的心撞击在一起!
    纠结!此生从未经历的纠结!恐惧!绝望!
    我已不知身处何地,心完全聚焦在发不发誓的问题上,痛苦至极!怎么会这样啊,把自己逼到这境地!
    忘了时间,没了空间,只有反复的权衡、煎熬!
    是啊,只为看真理一眼,值吗?!
    不知过了多久,渴望真理真相的心,终于还是坚定了:再不想不明不白,一刻也不想!什么代价、值不值都无所谓,只要能看一眼真相,见证那真理,就足够了!再无所求!
    决意下的那一刻,也冷静了许多。
    我在心里开始绝对真诚地一字一字地发着誓言:
    如果能让我明白或确信生命解脱的真相,我此生宁愿不解脱,甘愿把这个真相及方法告诉世人。若有无量世,那就永远留在人间,直至最后一人解脱!
    几乎每一个字的发出,都仍伴随着恐惧,但同时都会生起更大的决心:绝对真诚!绝不退缩!
    当最后一字从真诚的心中灭去那一刻,意想不到的时刻一个个接踵而至……

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  • 1h

2008: 


(8:04 PM) Thusness:    Next what is mindfulness?
(8:04 PM) AEN:    means bare attention of experience?
(8:04 PM) Thusness:    what did Element said about "Mindfulness"?
(8:04 PM) AEN:    more like recollecting something
(8:05 PM) Thusness:    So in your opinion, is this a correct description of mindfulness?
(8:05 PM) AEN:    dun tink so
(8:06 PM) AEN:    actually
(8:06 PM) AEN:    mindfulness has a quality of 'remembering' but its not like memory
(8:06 PM) AEN:    more like coming back to attention thats all
(8:06 PM) Thusness:    not good enough
(8:06 PM) Thusness:    what else?
(8:07 PM) AEN:    mindfulness is actually our natural state.. like what ven gunaratana said,
(8:07 PM) AEN:    

When you first become aware of something, there is a fleeting instant of pure awareness just before you conceptualize the thing, before you identify it. That is a stage of Mindfulness. Ordinarily, this stage is very short. It is that flashing split second just as you focus your eyes on the thing, just as you focus your mind on the thing, just before you objectify it, clamp down on it mentally and segregate it from the rest of existence. It takes place just before you start thinking about it--before your mind says, "Oh, it's a dog." That flowing, soft-focused moment of pure awareness is Mindfulness. In that brief flashing mind-moment you experience a thing as an un-thing. You experience a softly flowing moment of pure experience that is interlocked with the rest of reality, not separate from it. Mindfulness is very much like what you see with your peripheral vision as opposed to the hard focus of normal or central vision. Yet this moment of soft, unfocused, awareness contains a very deep sort of knowing that is lost as soon as you focus your mind and objectify the object into a thin
(8:07 PM) AEN:    . In the process of ordinary perception, the Mindfulness step is so fleeting as to be unobservable. We have developed the habit of squandering our attention on all the remaining steps, focusing on the perception, recognizing the perception, labeling it, and most of all, getting involved in a long string of symbolic thought about it. That original moment of Mindfulness is rapidly passed over. It is the purpose of the above mentioned Vipassana (or insight) meditation to train us to prolong that moment of awareness.
(8:09 PM) Thusness:    What about the stuff Element said?
(8:10 PM) AEN:    he speaks about mindfulness as if something we can direct according to our intentions
(8:10 PM) AEN:    but i tink mindfulness is more like waking up from our conceptualization process to what is present
(8:11 PM) AEN:    ya and he said mindfulness is like a supervisor
(8:11 PM) AEN:    like watching the mind or something
(8:12 PM) Thusness:    mindfulness as recollection
(8:12 PM) Thusness:    but he further clarifies mindfulness as remembering to be in the present moment.
(8:12 PM) AEN:    icic..
(8:13 PM) Thusness:    so what has that got to do with the 3 seals?
(8:14 PM) AEN:    the present moment exhibits 3 seals?
(8:14 PM) Thusness:    and he brought up a very important topic, 'oneness vs dispassionate'
(8:15 PM) AEN:    oic ya actually i think its the same
(8:15 PM) AEN:    i wanted to reply yesterday but no time, but i saved some of the things i wrote... going to edit first
(8:15 PM) AEN:    haven edited

(8:19 PM) Thusness:    first tell me more about mindfulness
(8:20 PM) AEN:    hmm wat about it
(8:20 PM) Thusness:    what can u learn from Element and what you know
(8:21 PM) AEN:    hmm
(8:21 PM) AEN:    mindfulness is like recollecting what is present?
(8:22 PM) Thusness:    how can u recollect what is present?
(8:23 PM) AEN:    means not forgetting present moment and getting lost in thoughts?
(8:23 PM) Thusness:    no
(8:24 PM) AEN:    recollecting just means paying attention?
(8:24 PM) Thusness:    no
(8:25 PM) AEN:    hmm
(8:25 PM) AEN:    means focusing on an object and keeping it in mind?
(8:25 PM) Thusness:    no
(8:26 PM) AEN:    dunnu leh
(8:26 PM) AEN:    lol
(8:27 PM) Thusness:    mindfulness is a form of practice
(8:27 PM) AEN:    by noticing that you are not present?
(8:27 PM) Thusness:    what is so great about being 'Now'?
(8:28 PM) AEN:    because 'now' is the only reality?
(8:28 PM) Thusness:    so what is so great about 'Reality'?
(8:29 PM) AEN:    its clear and liberating?
(8:30 PM) Thusness:    ???
(8:30 PM) Thusness:    who tell u that?
(8:30 PM) Thusness:    Buddha tell u that being in the 'Now' moment u will be liberated?
(8:30 PM) AEN:    no
(8:30 PM) Thusness:    then why u say that?
(8:31 PM) AEN:    hmm
(8:31 PM) AEN:    by clearly perceiving the true nature of the 'now' moment then there is liberation?
(8:31 PM) Thusness:    who tell u that?
(8:31 PM) Thusness:    no such thing.
(8:31 PM) AEN:    icic
(8:31 PM) Thusness:    It was derived.
(8:32 PM) Thusness:    By some practitioners and masters.
(8:32 PM) AEN:    being "now" means going pre symbolic?
(8:32 PM) AEN:    oic
(8:33 PM) Thusness:    first Element spoke about recollection.
(8:33 PM) Thusness:    is mindfulness about recollection?
(8:33 PM) Thusness:    or being pre-conceptual and bare.
(8:33 PM) AEN:    i tink all?
(8:33 PM) Thusness:    all as in?
(8:34 PM) AEN:    its recollection, pre conceptual and bare
(8:34 PM) Thusness:    meaning?
(8:34 PM) AEN:    ven gunaratana said
(8:34 PM) AEN:    

(A) Mindfulness reminds you of what you are supposed to be doing . In meditation, you put your attention on one item. When your mind wanders from this focus, it is Mindfulness that reminds you that your mind is wandering and what you are supposed to be doing. It is Mindfulness that brings your mind back to the object of meditation. All of this occurs instantaneously and without internal dialogue. Mindfulness is not thinking. Repeated practice in meditation establishes this function as a mental habit which then carries over into the rest of your life. A serious meditator pays bare attention to occurrences all the time, day in, day out, whether formally sitting in meditation or not. This is a very lofty ideal towards which those who meditate may be working for a period of years or even decades. Our habit of getting stuck in thought is years old, and that habit will hang on in the most tenacious manner. The only way out is to be equally persistent in the cultivation of constant Mindfulness. When Mindfulness is present, you will notice when you become stuck in your thought patterns. It
(8:34 PM) AEN:     It is that very noticing which allows you to back out of the thought process and free yourself from it. Mindfulness then returns your attention to its proper focus. If you are meditating at that moment, then your focus will be the formal object of meditation. If your are not in formal meditation, it will be just a pure application of bare attention itself, just a pure noticing of whatever comes up without getting involved--"Ah, this comes up...and now this, and now this... and now this".

Mindfulness is at one and the same time both bare attention itself and the function of reminding us to pay bare attention if we have ceased to do so. Bare attention is noticing. It re- establishes itself simply by noticing that it has not been present. As soon as you are noticing that you have not been noticing, then by definition you are noticing and then you are back again to paying bare attention.

Mindfulness creates its own distinct feeling in consciousness. It has a flavor--a light, clear, energetic flavor. Conscious thought is heavy by comparison, ponderous and picky. But here again, these a
(8:35 PM) AEN:    hmm
(8:35 PM) AEN:    mindfulness becomes a mental habit?
(8:35 PM) Thusness:    mindfulness leading to enlightenment?
(8:35 PM) AEN:    huh
(8:36 PM) AEN:    i mean mindfulness serves as recollection when it becomes a mental habit?
(8:36 PM) Thusness:    What is the relationship between Mindfulness and Enlightenment?
(8:37 PM) AEN:    u need mindfulness to see things as they are, like perceive the 3 characteristics
(8:38 PM) Thusness:    closer...what is mindfulness?
(8:38 PM) AEN:    means bare attention?
(8:38 PM) Thusness:    bare is pre-symbolic like being naked in awareness.
(8:39 PM) AEN:    icic ya
(8:40 PM) Thusness:    now getting back to where u stop after ur mind wonders is not the purpose of mindfulness.
(8:40 PM) Thusness:    every form of meditation requires us to do that.
(8:40 PM) AEN:    oic..
(8:40 PM) AEN:    so u mean
(8:40 PM) AEN:    mindfulness is not recollection?
(8:41 PM) Thusness:    u do not recollect present moment
(8:41 PM) AEN:    icic
(8:41 PM) Thusness:    what has it got to do with the 3 characteristics?
(8:41 PM) Thusness:    the seals?
(8:42 PM) AEN:    recollecting itself does not mean one perceives 3 characteristics
(8:42 PM) AEN:    but only when one becomes observant
(8:42 PM) Thusness:    ai yoo...
(8:42 PM) Thusness:    Buddha spoke of the dharma seals.
(8:43 PM) Thusness:    sounded simple but difficult to understand
(8:43 PM) Thusness:    we cannot understand the wisdom behind it
(8:43 PM) AEN:    oic..
(8:44 PM) Thusness:    mindfulness has several characteristics
(8:44 PM) Thusness:    in which bare attention or being naked and non-conceptual awareness is important
(8:45 PM) AEN:    icic..
(8:45 PM) Thusness:    2nd is it must remind (not recollect)
(8:45 PM) Thusness:    remind of what?
(8:45 PM) AEN:    present moment? or what you are doing?
(8:46 PM) AEN:    like breathing meditation then remind of that
(8:46 PM) Thusness:    no
(8:46 PM) Thusness:    what is there to remind
(8:46 PM) Thusness:    when u r bare in attention, u r in the present
(8:46 PM) AEN:    ya the reminding serves its purpose only when one becomes lost in thoughts, i tink
(8:46 PM) AEN:    hmm
(8:47 PM) AEN:    so u're saying reminding = being bare in attention?
(8:47 PM) Thusness:    told u that is in all practices
(8:47 PM) Thusness:    nothing to talk about.
(8:47 PM) AEN:    icic..
(8:47 PM) Thusness:    remind u constantly of the dharma seals.
(8:47 PM) AEN:    oic..
(8:47 PM) Thusness:    when u r bare in attention, does it mean that u know the dharma seals?
(8:48 PM) Thusness:    when u r in non-dual, does it mean that u know the 3 characteristics?
(8:48 PM) AEN:    i thinks perceiving 3 characteristics is also a matter of clarity?
(8:48 PM) Thusness:    all experiences are distorted due to ignorance and propensities.
(8:49 PM) Thusness:    for u, u say u r Eternal Witness as if u r constant and everything flow even now.
(8:49 PM) Thusness:    Even after reading so much and countless conversation with me.
(8:49 PM) Thusness:    so isn't it not clear yet?
(8:49 PM) AEN:    oic
(8:50 PM) AEN:    so being bare in attention doesnt mean one perceives the 3 characteristics
(8:50 PM) AEN:    bcos of propensities?
(8:50 PM) Thusness:    even now...even after years of reading and summarizing and discussions?
(8:50 PM) Thusness:    yes
(8:50 PM) Thusness:    we do not know
(8:50 PM) Thusness:    therefore we need to remind ourselves of the seals.
(8:50 PM) AEN:    oic..
(8:50 PM) Thusness:    why?
(8:51 PM) Thusness:    because insight and wisdom have not arisen.
(8:51 PM) AEN:    icic..
(8:51 PM) Thusness:    therefore u practice mindfulness
(8:51 PM) AEN:    oic..
(8:52 PM) Thusness:    u attempt to become non-conceptual, bare but the experience will still be distorted.
(8:53 PM) Thusness:    now observing phenomena, seeing them arise and pass away, 'dispassion' arise
(8:53 PM) Thusness:    does that mean that u seek what that does not arise and pass away?
(8:54 PM) AEN:    depends on whether propensities is reacting?
(8:54 PM) AEN:    or whether theres right understanding
(8:54 PM) Thusness:    right understanding means u seek or don't seek?
(8:54 PM) AEN:    dont seek
(8:54 PM) Thusness:    so what is important?
(8:55 PM) AEN:    insight?
(8:55 PM) Thusness:    insight into what?
(8:55 PM) AEN:    the 3 seals?
(8:55 PM) Thusness:    or our empty nature
(8:55 PM) Thusness:    we come to that later
(8:55 PM) AEN:    icic
(8:57 PM) Thusness:    This is very important.
(8:58 PM) Thusness:    emphasized the 3 characteristics in vipassana because their clear seeing causes something called dispassion and dispassion is the cause of Nibbana.
(8:59 PM) AEN:    oic..
(9:00 PM) Thusness:    Remember wat I told u and truth about becoming so sick that u gave up everything?
(9:00 PM) Thusness:    suffering causes so much pain that u gave up?
(9:01 PM) AEN:    not so sure :P
(9:03 PM) Thusness:    go and read what i told Isis also.
(9:03 PM) Thusness:    and all the discussions about mindfulness relates to what I told u about the 2 practices i told u to do.
(9:04 PM) AEN:    dropping and self inquiry?
(9:05 PM) Thusness:    if u can understand what i said and the purpose, u will know what i meant and what i am trying to teach u from beginning.
(9:05 PM) Thusness:    that is continue to recall and summarize non-dual and emptiness
(9:06 PM) Thusness:    to have clarity in concepts and the meaning of it.
(9:06 PM) Thusness:    to have the non-dual experience
(9:06 PM) Thusness:    and lastly dropping
(9:07 PM) AEN:    icic..
(9:07 PM) AEN:    by recall u mean mindfulness?
(9:07 PM) AEN:    btw wat did u tell isis
(9:08 PM) Thusness:    dropping is about dispassion but it is not about dispassion but to arise a total willingness to let go.
(9:08 PM) Thusness:    because grasping is 'self' in disguise.
(9:08 PM) Thusness:    but non-dual experience will not be understood in terms of the 3 characteristics
(9:08 PM) Thusness:    in terms of its empty nature
(9:11 PM) AEN:    means one can have the experience of dispassion through dropping but not comprehending the 3 seals or emptiness?
(9:11 PM) Thusness:    so bare and being non-conceptual will not allow u to have the right experience of non duality
(9:11 PM) AEN:    icic
(9:11 PM) AEN:    that is through recollecting or being mindful of the 3 seals right
(9:11 PM) AEN:    or vipassana
(9:11 PM) AEN:    *reminding
(9:12 PM) Thusness:    vipassana must go with right view
(9:12 PM) AEN:    icic
(9:17 PM) Thusness:    So what are the purposes of the 3 practices?
(9:19 PM) AEN:    dropping is to give rise to the total willingness to let go of the self, vipassana is to give rise to the insight of the 3 seals or emptiness, self inquiry is the experience the "I AM" and show how strong the propensity is?
(9:20 PM) Thusness:    It is like the dispassion.  That is very important.
(9:21 PM) AEN:    icic..
(9:21 PM) Thusness:    Oneness is very important too.
(9:21 PM) Thusness:    Or non-dual luminosity :)
(9:21 PM) AEN:    icic..
(9:21 PM) AEN:    thats experienced through vipassana rite?
(9:22 PM) Thusness:    Understand oneness from DO perspective.
(9:23 PM) Thusness:    And non-dual presence through right view and experience of presence.
(9:24 PM) AEN:    oic
(9:25 PM) Thusness:    These 3 aspects must go hand in hand
(9:25 PM) Thusness:    There is no point arguing
(9:26 PM) AEN:    icic..
(9:26 PM) Thusness:    There can be no true understanding of Buddha's teachings without non-dual insight.
(9:27 PM) AEN:    oic..
(9:28 PM) Thusness:    To understand the 3 relationships, u need to practice hard
(9:29 PM) Thusness:    Don't be afraid of right views.
(9:29 PM) AEN:    wat u mean by afraid of right views
(9:29 PM) Thusness:    It will help.
(9:29 PM) AEN:    u mean dont be afraid of having (right) views?
(9:30 PM) Thusness:    Don't be trapped by non-conceptuality
(9:30 PM) AEN:    oic
(9:30 PM) Thusness:    Yes
(9:32 PM) Thusness:    Having right views will sync non-dual luminosity with that 'dispassion' (total willingness to let go)
(9:33 PM) AEN:    oic..
(9:33 PM) Thusness:    The experience of Presence and non-dual experience can lead to very strong attachment of the Ultimate Reality
(9:34 PM) AEN:    even after realising non duality?
(9:34 PM) Thusness:    Yes
(9:34 PM) Thusness:    But not anatta
(9:34 PM) AEN:    oic
(9:34 PM) AEN:    y attachment
(9:35 PM) Thusness:    because of ignorance
(9:35 PM) AEN:    icic
(9:35 PM) Thusness:    Of our empty nature
(9:36 PM) Thusness:    Therefore advaita is not Buddhism
(9:36 PM) AEN:    oic..
(9:36 PM) AEN:    btw buddha say dispassion is linked to disenchantment is linked to insight
(9:36 PM) AEN:    "Dispassion, monks, also has a supporting condition, I say, it does not lack a supporting condition. And what is the supporting condition for dispassion? 'Disenchantment' should be the reply.

"Disenchantment, monks, also has a supporting condition, I say, it does not lack a supporting condition. And what is the supporting condition for disenchantment? 'The knowledge and vision of things as they really are' should be the reply.
(9:37 PM) Thusness:    The arising of 'dispassion' is very important but must be correctly understood
(9:37 PM) AEN:    icic
(9:38 PM) Thusness:    U should take that para seriously
(9:39 PM) Thusness:    But Oneness and non-dual should not be overlooked.
(9:39 PM) AEN:    oic..
(9:40 PM) Thusness:    Missing either one, missed the point.
(9:41 PM) Thusness:    Therefore the 3 things I told u.
(9:41 PM) AEN:    icic..
(9:42 PM) AEN:    wat are the 3 things
(9:44 PM) Thusness:    U tell me.
(9:45 PM) AEN:    dispassion, oneness, DO?
(9:46 PM) Thusness:    What I tell u to practice?
(9:50 PM) AEN:    dropping, vipassana, self inquiry?
(9:51 PM) Thusness:    Summary of non-duality and emptiness
(9:52 PM) Thusness:    Having right view
(9:52 PM) Thusness:    How many times must I tell U?
(9:53 PM) AEN:    icic..
(9:54 PM) Thusness:    Without the right view, even with non-dual experience, wisdom of nature will not arise.
(9:54 PM) AEN:    oic..
(9:56 PM) AEN:    so the 3 are dropping, non dual presence, and summarising?
(9:57 PM) Thusness:    Yes
(9:57 PM) AEN:    icic..
(10:15 PM) AEN:    what is the difference between non dual and anatta
(10:19 PM) Thusness:    It is the right understanding of non-dual experience free from the subject/Object and inherent views.
(10:20 PM) AEN:    icic
(10:20 PM) AEN:    that means one can realise pathless non dual but yet not be free from subject/object and inherent views?
(10:22 PM) Thusness:    Huh?
(10:22 PM) Thusness:    I hv written and told u so many times
(10:23 PM) Thusness:    then what is emptiness for?
(10:26 PM) AEN:    oic
(10:26 PM) AEN:    but can u realise non dual and yet not be free from subject/object views?
(10:26 PM) AEN:    or u mean inherency
(10:27 PM) Thusness:    Yes
(10:27 PM) AEN:    icic
(10:27 PM) Thusness:    U can have non dual experience but not non-dual insight
(10:28 PM) AEN:    so anatta actually includes understanding of DO and emptiness rite
(10:28 PM) AEN:    non dual insight u mean insight into pathless nonduality or insight into anatta
(10:28 PM) Thusness:    Which is clarity of what is the nature of our pristine awareness
(10:28 PM) Thusness:    It is the same.
(10:28 PM) AEN:    icic..
(10:29 PM) Thusness:    when one spoke of no-self, one says there is no subject/Object split
(10:30 PM) Thusness:    One understands
(10:30 PM) Thusness:    One realises that there isn't such a split.
(10:31 PM) AEN:    oic..
(10:32 PM) Thusness:    But doesn't mean there is clarity
(10:32 PM) AEN:    icic..
(10:37 PM) Thusness:    Advaita realises that there is no split.
(10:37 PM) Thusness:    But the grasping of the source is still there.
(10:38 PM) Thusness:    However in anatta there is no grasping of anything.
(10:38 PM) AEN:    how to grasp source when its realised to be all manifestation
(10:42 PM) Thusness:    as long as one is under the propensity of Self, there is grasping of permanence.
(10:43 PM) AEN:    oic ya even sailor bob adamson talks about awareness as permanent/changeless
(10:44 PM) AEN:    though he said "everything in essence is that changeless natural knowing--nothing else"
(10:45 PM) Thusness:    Although the experience is there, one is unable to fully go beyond this dualistic bond.
(10:45 PM) AEN:    oic..
(10:45 PM) Thusness:    Thus it is subtle and deep.
(10:45 PM) AEN:    icic..
(10:46 PM) Thusness:    The real essence that is empty of inherent existence is the cause of non-dual insight
(10:48 PM) Thusness:    the practitioner will not be able to overcome that bond
(10:49 PM) Thusness:    Even after the non-dual experience
(10:49 PM) Thusness:    Even after deep experience
(10:50 PM) AEN:    oic..
(10:51 PM) Thusness:    Unless that inherent/dualistic view Is completely replaced in its inmost level
(10:51 PM) AEN:    through emptiness?
(10:52 PM) Thusness:    Therefore I said there is a desync
(10:52 PM) AEN:    oic..
(10:53 PM) Thusness:    Unable to go beyond it, practitioner prefer to rest in naked awareness
(10:54 PM) Thusness:    The grasping will still be there because the root cause is still there.
(10:54 PM) AEN:    icic..
(10:54 PM) AEN:    grasping on what
(10:54 PM) AEN:    source?
(10:55 PM) Thusness:    But one having non-dual and realises our emptiness nature is not afraid of having right view.
(10:55 PM) Thusness:    Yes source.
(10:55 PM) AEN:    icic..
(10:56 PM) Thusness:    But understand that it is a raft that serves as the antidote to dissolve inherent view.
(10:57 PM) AEN:    oic..
(10:58 PM) Thusness:    From it one gradually replaces inherent view and experiences nonlocality
(10:59 PM) AEN:    means no sense of 'being here'?
(10:59 PM) Thusness:    Because there is no need to hold on to anything in the deepest level.
(10:59 PM) AEN:    icic
(10:59 PM) Thusness:    No this nor that
(10:59 PM) Thusness:    Here nor there
(11:00 PM) AEN:    oic..
(11:00 PM) Thusness:    Dissolve any inherent view, there is no returning nor going
(11:01 PM) Thusness:    The experience of non-dual is refined
(11:01 PM) AEN:    icic..
(11:01 PM) Thusness:    The source is dropped
(11:01 PM) AEN:    btw u realised DO/emptiness by contemplating on the buddha's verse 'this is, that is'?
(11:01 PM) AEN:    oic
(11:02 PM) Thusness:    No
(11:02 PM) AEN:    oic then
(11:02 PM) Thusness:    Because there is the truthfulness in me...Hehe
(11:03 PM) AEN:    wat u mean
(11:03 PM) Thusness:    My non-dual stage 5 does not sync in terms of view
(11:05 PM) Thusness:    Therefore I continue to have further clarity in non-dual experience and compare with Buddha's teachings
(11:06 PM) AEN:    oic..
(11:06 PM) AEN:    u read the sutras?
(11:06 PM) Thusness:    When deep in my mind I require no more subject/Object framework, my luminosity becomes clear.
(11:07 PM) AEN:    oic..
(11:08 PM) Thusness:    I can see the teachings with deeper clarity.
(11:09 PM) Thusness:    There is no holding of any views
(11:09 PM) AEN:    icic..
(11:10 PM) Thusness:    It is just intuiting it is so.
(11:10 PM) AEN:    oic..
(2:09 AM) AEN:    truthz sent me this link to a video explanation of heart sutra, what u tink: http://www.tudou.com/playlist/playindex.do?lid=3173479
(2:13 AM) AEN:    thats still non duality as a stage right?
(2:30 AM) AEN:    i think it describing stage 2 rite
(12:39 PM) Thusness:    The understanding is stage 2 but the experience is stage 5.
(12:39 PM) Thusness:    therefore it is advaita sort of understanding.
(12:39 PM) Thusness:    http://www.tudou.com/playlist/playindex.do?lid=3173479
(12:39 PM) Thusness:    non-dual insight.
(12:39 PM) Thusness:    not to misunderstand that the master doesn't know what is non-dual or emptiness.
(12:39 PM) Thusness:    there is deep clarity. :)


 Traditionally vipaśyanā is not a practice but a type of awakened seeing, the term means “clear seeing” or “clear insight.”

Defined in the Akṣayamati-nirdeśa as such:

The consciousness that perceives the entry into reality is called "vipaśyanā." So-called vipaśyanā is perceiving phenomena correctly, perceiving phenomena as they are, perceiving phenomena truly, and perceiving phenomena as not otherwise, perceiving phenomena as empty, without characteristics, without aspiration, perceiving phenomena to be unformed, likewise, nonarisen, unproduced, insubstantial, just as they are, pure, and as isolated. It is perceiving phenomena as unmoving, inactive, without self, wholly without grasping, inseparable, one taste, as the nature of space, and nirvana by nature.

This means that the real meaning of vipaśyanā is an awakened equipoise a synonym for realizing emptiness [śūnyatā].

The so-called practice of “vipassana” as in the vipassana movement is sort of a glorified śamatha. It is more of just a nice moniker, but it is not actual vipassana [vipaśyanā].

What separates vipaśyanā proper from deliberate mindfulness would be the fact that vipaśyanā is infused with gnosis [jñāna] whereas mindfulness is a sustained attention that is performed from within the confines of one’s everyday dualistic consciousness.” - https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vRkcjo4JAZc8qKyi1LgyMBbdQ2y1krGKmERyoqskOtQNXuywTwARf87id2H3I9mt6jWUmUMCD2yG2oA/pub?fbclid=IwAR2IITo7WDnxwHicGupWA74gv6-tDIzisCIBlvh258kzW5MiOZKKlsWjlRo

"krodha commented on Vipassana vs. Samatha https://www.reddit.com/r/Buddhism/comments/1atuzu0/comment/kr0ry1z/?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=web2x&context=3
Question
 •r/Buddhism
•Posted by
u/Farmer_Di
krodha
7 points
·
20 hours ago
“Vipassana meditation," of the vipassana movement and vipaśyanā proper are two different things. You'll have to determine which one you're referring to. Vipassana meditation associated with the vipassana movement is marginally different than śamatha. The real meaning of vipassana or vipaśyanā in Sanskrit, is awakened insight. Traditionally, śamatha is used as a precursor to vipaśyanā so that when awakening occurs, it is more stable.

Vipassana meditation you follow instructions on is more of a glorified form of śamatha, that is why you cannot distinguish the two. True vipassana is the awakened domain of an ārya.

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…….


[18/12/18, 1:49:40 PM] John Tan: For communication purpose, it is necessary to point out this clarity
[18/12/18, 1:50:43 PM] John Tan: And one need also to realize the "clarity" pointed is simply a convention.
[18/12/18, 1:51:01 PM] John Tan: After these 2 pointings, what is realized?
[18/12/18, 2:07:10 PM] Soh Wei Yu: Anatta.. in the seen just the seen. Awareness is not existing by its own side, perceiving phenomena but is phenomena
[18/12/18, 2:07:52 PM] Soh Wei Yu: I think this is not directly mentioned in the book. It sees everything as just names but it doesn’t say awareness is a name imputed on the self luminous manifestation
[18/12/18, 2:08:25 PM] Soh Wei Yu: Rather it says the space like awareness is ground and cause of everything
[18/12/18, 2:08:29 PM] Soh Wei Yu: Sounds like source to me
[18/12/18, 2:16:50 PM] Soh Wei Yu: Actually I much prefer the mn1 sutta over many Dzogchen teachings, much more resonating with my insight. No source at all, Buddha say any view of emanation is wrong.. not skilful to conceive things coming out of infinite space, infinite consciousness, etc
[18/12/18, 2:17:16 PM] Soh Wei Yu: Is like in the seen just the seen.. no coming out of, no I, me, mine, just direct perception
[18/12/18, 2:23:58 PM] Soh Wei Yu: "He directly knows water as water... the All as the All...

"He directly knows Unbinding as Unbinding. Directly knowing Unbinding as Unbinding, he does not conceive things about Unbinding, does not conceive things in Unbinding, does not conceive things coming out of Unbinding, does not conceive Unbinding as 'mine,' does not delight in Unbinding. Why is that? Because he has known that delight is the root of suffering & stress, that from coming-into-being there is birth, and that for what has come into being there is aging & death. Therefore, with the total ending, fading away, cessation, letting go, relinquishment of craving, the Tathagata has totally awakened to the unexcelled right self-awakening, I tell you."
[18/12/18, 2:25:09 PM] Soh Wei Yu: Even seung Sahn and his successors are unable to overcome the notion of source. And it seems many Dzogchen Teachers also

(note: I am by no means well-versed in Dzogchen and I'm sure there are many Dzogchen teachers that are very deeply realized, also I'm referring to some of expressions of some of the modern teachers I've read. Some of the old Dzogchen texts I've read are very good and resonating)
 
‎[18/12/18, 2:48:20 PM] Soh Wei Yu: ‎image omitted
[18/12/18, 2:48:42 PM] Soh Wei Yu: Their emptiness insight is like saying reflections cannot be established as anything other than the mirror
[18/12/18, 2:48:58 PM] Soh Wei Yu: But anatta is more like mirror cannot be established as anything other than reflections lol
[18/12/18, 2:49:23 PM] Soh Wei Yu: This is not spoken and the no mirror insight is only expressed by Prabodha and Abhaya Devi that I know. Never seen it anywhere else in Dzogchen (Update by Soh in 2021: Dzogchen teacher Acarya Malcolm Smith and his student Kyle Dixon is clear about - see Clarifications on Dharmakaya and Basis by Loppön Namdrol/Malcolm, and some of the other old Dzogchen texts I've read)
[18/12/18, 2:50:41 PM] Soh Wei Yu: In Soto zen it is commonly expressed
[18/12/18, 2:50:43 PM] Soh Wei Yu: Even today
[18/12/18, 3:13:41 PM] Soh Wei Yu: No wonder Greg Goode says Dzogchen sounds too much like advaita to him

{quotes a book}

[18/12/18, 3:53:15 PM] Soh Wei Yu: Was just reminded of
[18/12/18, 3:53:22 PM] Soh Wei Yu: What u wrote in 2009:


What's seen is Awareness. What's heard is Awareness. All experiences are non-dual in nature. However this non-dual luminosity cannot be understood apart from the ‘causes and conditions’ of arising. Therefore do not see ‘yin’ as Awareness interacting with external conditions. If you see it as so, then it still falls in the category of mirror-reflecting. Rather see it as an instantaneous manifestation where nothing is excluded. As if the universe is giving its very best for this moment to arise. A moment is complete and non-dual. Vividly manifest and thoroughly gone leaving no traces.”
[18/12/18, 3:54:59 PM] Soh Wei Yu: The way I understand is that this book I'm reading, including many other Teachers, explain dependent origination in terms of awareness interacting with external conditions in the form of mirror reflecting
[18/12/18, 3:55:33 PM] Soh Wei Yu: Very unlike how Hong wen Liang, Dogen, Hakuun yasutani and other Soto zen masters explain about total exertion and no mirror
[18/12/18, 3:56:07 PM] John Tan: It is very difficult to bring out the point
[18/12/18, 4:02:12 PM] John Tan: As whatever can b expressed is easily reified, objectified and grasped instead of realizing it is merely pointing at seen, heard, sensed ...all 6 entries and exits, nothing beyond.  The conventions created artificial boundaries when there is none. So vipassana is taught but not the 3 seals needs to go hand in hand with the luminous manifestation.
[18/12/18, 4:04:01 PM] Soh Wei Yu: But not the 3 seals?
[18/12/18, 4:04:36 PM] John Tan: Not just the 3 seals
[18/12/18, 4:07:13 PM] Soh Wei Yu: U mean not just the 3 seals is impt but must go with luminous manifestation?
[18/12/18, 4:09:02 PM] John Tan: Otherwise it becomes just a mindful reminder but vipassana is a direct insight.


Also, back in 2014:

Soh Wei YuTuesday, June 24, 2014 at 10:49pm UTC+08
i dont know whether his explanation reflects mahasi's understanding or buddhaghosa's description
Soh Wei YuTuesday, June 24, 2014 at 10:49pm UTC+08
then his 4th path is like anatta insight
Soh Wei YuTuesday, June 24, 2014 at 10:49pm UTC+08
daniel ingram's book however all the nanas seem like states
John TanTuesday, June 24, 2014 at 10:49pm UTC+08
Yeah
Soh Wei YuTuesday, June 24, 2014 at 10:49pm UTC+08
i havent read his texts before
Soh Wei YuTuesday, June 24, 2014 at 10:48pm UTC+08
you mean what he wrote in visudhimagga?
John TanTuesday, June 24, 2014 at 10:48pm UTC+08
But that does not mean we know more ...
John TanTuesday, June 24, 2014 at 10:47pm UTC+08
Buddhaghosa I m not sure but the nana (insight) described is different...and whatever described is more like experience and anatta seems to b an inference than direct insight.
Soh Wei YuTuesday, June 24, 2014 at 10:45pm UTC+08
oic.. u mean buddhaghosa, mahasi sayadaw, goenka all have this problem? derived inference instead of experiential insight?
John TanTuesday, June 24, 2014 at 10:44pm UTC+08
Vipassana is a technique that must go hand in hand with view and experience. Once realized, vipassana is natural and effortless.
John TanTuesday, June 24, 2014 at 10:43pm UTC+08
Not an experiential insight
John TanTuesday, June 24, 2014 at 10:43pm UTC+08
That is to me a derived inference
John TanTuesday, June 24, 2014 at 10:43pm UTC+08
From there realized anatta
John TanTuesday, June 24, 2014 at 10:42pm UTC+08
They r talking abt the 3 characteristics, the stream
John TanTuesday, June 24, 2014 at 10:42pm UTC+08
So where is the insight?
John TanTuesday, June 24, 2014 at 10:42pm UTC+08
Yeah abt them
Soh Wei YuTuesday, June 24, 2014 at 10:39pm UTC+08
the traditional techniques.. u dont mean mahasi or goenka? or are u talking about them
Soh Wei YuTuesday, June 24, 2014 at 10:38pm UTC+08
you mean emptiness insight?
Soh Wei YuTuesday, June 24, 2014 at 10:38pm UTC+08
so many are now talking about.. what?
John TanTuesday, June 24, 2014 at 10:38pm UTC+08
So don't say whose technique is the best ...
John TanTuesday, June 24, 2014 at 10:37pm UTC+08
But r those seeing through...u see the realization is in line with all the texts but when u look at the traditional techniques, u realized this lack...either they emphasis on the experience or the view but there is no insight at all.
John TanTuesday, June 24, 2014 at 10:35pm UTC+08
So like u said, I think my approach is the best...lol...but u see so many is now talking abt it after going through all the different traditional techniques
John TanTuesday, June 24, 2014 at 10:33pm UTC+08
Yeah
John TanTuesday, June 24, 2014 at 10:33pm UTC+08
U also realized that the emptiness and chariot analogy and all Buddhist Mahayana emptiness sutta all r talking abt the insight of anatta extended...it is the same insight but brought to experiential taste...yet u do not see any emphasis at all...in almost all the traditions
Soh Wei YuTuesday, June 24, 2014 at 10:32pm UTC+08
you mean many people describe nana but those nana has no insight involved?
John TanTuesday, June 24, 2014 at 10:31pm UTC+08
Some may say they realized anatta but may not b as thorough as seeing through....the insights (nana) from buddhaghosa or Mahasi or goenka....I wonder why is it called an insight at all since no insights whatsoever r involved. How is there no trace of a background I leading to the realization of no I and mine making and how thorough can it b without the seeing through?
Soh Wei YuTuesday, June 24, 2014 at 10:27pm UTC+08
piya tan learnt both goenka and mahasi technique and teaches them i believe
Soh Wei YuTuesday, June 24, 2014 at 10:26pm UTC+08
ic..
John TanTuesday, June 24, 2014 at 10:26pm UTC+08
Lol...different technique, can't comment as outsider...
Soh Wei YuTuesday, June 24, 2014 at 9:20pm UTC+08
"I agree with Vince that Goenka does get a lot of people above the A&P but leaves many stranded there, though the same could be said of many traditions, and is in some ways just a common occurrence that is not necessarily one traditions fault but something inherent in the fact that getting to stream entry can sometimes be tricky. I get emails relatively regularly stating the same thing from frustrated meditators of not only Goenka but also other traditions. Now, it is true that there are good things about Goenka, but this debate has been hashed out elsewhere. My take on things is this: if you learn the maps, understand the vipassana jhanas, learn to recognize the traps, take what is good and notice where the Mahasi kids and the Goenka kids agree (Three Characteristics), and learn to go on retreats with the benefit of that additional heads up and technology, then it is probably possible to take advantage of the good aspects of Goenka (donation-based, widely available, strong discipline), and fuse it with the good stuff from Mahasi (the best maps ever, excellent diagnostic criteria, a profound understanding of the fine-points of the path stripped of dogmatic crap, and strong advice on technique, etc.). As to what to put attention on, I tend to recommend vibrations wherever found, watching for the shifts that make these wider and watching for the phase and frequency changes that occur so as to not get stuck, and a basic emphasis on watching as much of the thing come and go as possible, to gradually include all of space and everything in it, realizing the odd shifts that happen in the transition from 2nd to 3rd to 4th vipassana jhanas, as describe in my book and elsewhere. That said, you can do this with body scanning, breath, choiceless awareness, or other objects, as it is more of a meta-perspective on these more specific techniques and focuses. Helpful? " "Please don't misunderstand me, it is not that I do not recommend Goenka centers, as I know a good number of people who have gotten some real benefit from them, the price is clearly right, they are pretty on the up and up as centers and traditions go, I know numerous people who have crossed the Arising and Passing Away during their courses, and thus, there is much to be said for them. I do have some critiques, however, about a few things. I do know that during the first 3 month retreat at IMS where they used the Mahasi method over body-scanning that they got many more stream enterers and others with deep insights and they basically never looked back. I know that many who have gotten into interesting territory on Goenka retreats have not had teachers there who could tell them what was happening, what to do next, how it might effect their daily life, etc., all of which I consider suboptimal and unfortunate. The tradition is a bit sectarian without necessarily the track record to justify this, though again, as a widespread, dana-based insight movement, the world is clearly a better place for it, and many do get their start there. In short, a mixed bag, but that is not the same as me not recommending them. Best of luck posting your pages, and I do think that posting the pros and cons of various centers and where they is a very good thing, as plenty of people need local options, and more insight practice, even if I personally don't consider it the very most effective, sophisticated and fully developed, is definitely a good idea. "
Soh Wei YuTuesday, June 24, 2014 at 9:17pm UTC+08
"Dear Aziz, Glad you like it. Strangely, while I haven't been on a Goenka retreat, what I hear of them doesn't sound hardcore enough for me, not enough emphasis on every sensation, every second technique from the moment of waking to the moment of sleeping, not enough emphasis on progress, no maps, low expectations on people getting stream entry and beyond, low quality discussion of technical aspects, etc. Anyway, just one opinion. Daniel "
Soh Wei YuTuesday, June 24, 2014 at 9:17pm UTC+08
strangely
Soh Wei YuTuesday, June 24, 2014 at 9:17pm UTC+08
it seems that daniel ingram doesnt seem very impressed with goenka style practice
Related: Buddha's Path Is to Experience Reality
Vipassana Must Go With Luminous Manifestation
Four Foundations of Mindfulness: The Direct Path to Liberation
Vipassana
Thusness's Vipassana
 

Sensation, the Key to Satipatthāna
Vol.4 No.1 January 1994
Words of Dhamma

Sāriputto etadacova: Kimārammaṇā, samiddhi, purisassa saṅkappavitakkā uppajjantī"ti? "Nāmarūpārammaṇā, Bhante"ti.
"Te pana, Samiddhi, kiṃsamosaraṇā"ti? "Vedanāsamosaraṇā, bhante"ti.

- Sariputta spoke thus: "What is the base, Samiddhi, from which thoughts and reflections arise in men?" "From the base of mind and matter, sir."
"And what, Samiddhi, accompanies them?"
"Sensation accompanies them, sir."

-Samādhi Sutta, Aṅguttara Nikāya, IX. ii. 4 (14)

Sensation, The Key to Satipatthāna
-by S N Goenka

Whatever truth is outside can be found within as well; whatever is within also exists outside. We may accept truth out of devotion or intellectual conviction, but in order to apprehend it directly we must explore within, to experience truth within ourselves. By thus coming face to face with truth, we can develop experiential wisdom that will make a real change in our lives.
The meditator starts investigation from a superficial level at which gross, solidified truths appear. But as one observes the apparent truth objectively, one starts penetrating from gross to subtler truths and finally witnesses ultimate truth. This ultimate truth can be experienced only only by exploring reality within oneself.
The exploration of the truth within is Vipassana meditation. In the course of this exploration the meditator must investigate two fields, two aspects of reality: matter and mind. Investigation of the physical reality is called in Pāli kāyānupassanā. Investigation of the mental reality is called cittānupassanā. In fact, however, matter and mind cannot be experienced separately from each other because they are interdependent, interconnected.
Exploring one is bound to involve an exploration of the other. Neither can be fully understood without the other.
The field of matter: kāyānupassanā and vedanānupassanā
The physical reality of oneself must be invwestigated by direct experience; it will not help merely to imagine or speculate about it. How then to experience this truth, the reality of one's own body? If in the names of kāyānupassanā one sits with closed eyesand simply names or imagines the different parts of the body, such a person is far away from correct practice of Vipassanā, from the direct exploration of truth. We actually experience our bodies by feeling them - that is, by means of our bodily sensations. Therefore awareness of physical sensation is indispensable to the practice of kāyānupassanā. Sensations exists, of one type or another, at every part, every atom of the body.
Thus the investigation of the truth of body is bound to involve the exploration of bodily sensations - in Pāli, vedanānupassanā. Sensations can be experienced only within one's body, and the reality of body can be experienced only by means of sensations.
But though sensation is always based on the body, the truth of vedanā is not exclusively physical in nature; it is also one of the four mental aggregates. Sensation overlaps the two fields of mind and matter. For this reason observations of sensation, as we shall see, is a way to explore the mental-physical phenomenon in its entirety.
In the practice of kāyānupassanā, observation of sensations will enable the meditator to experience directly the changing nature of the physical structure. By examining every part of the body in turn, one realizes that all sensations arise and pass away. As one repeats this practice, eventually a stage comes in which one experiences the instantaneous dissolution of every particle of the body. In this very subtle stage the meditator observes directly that the entire material structure is dissolving every moment; this experience is called in Pāli bhaṇga-ñāṇa, the realization of the truth of dissolution.
Through observing sensations as well, one can experience that the body is composed of four basic elements: earth, or solidity; water, or fluidity; air, or gaseousness; and fire, or temperature. Particles arise with the predominance of one or more elements, giving rise to the infinite variety of sensations. They arise to pass away. Ultimately the body is merely wavelets arising and passing away, constant dissolving. The apparently solid material structure is in reality nothing but ripples, vibrations, oscillations.
This truth of anicca can be realized directly only by the experience of bodily sensations. With this realization comes the understanding that one has no control over the changes constantly occurring in the body - aniccā. Therefore any attachment to what is changing beyond one's control is bound to bring nothing but suffering - dukkha. Knowing these facts now by personal experience, the meditator develops the wisdom of equanimity. By observing sensations he has reached the ultimate truth about body, and as a result his attachment to the body is shattered. He emerges from the folly of identifying with the body and develops real detachment, real enlightenment.
In the practice of vedanānupassanā as well, the meditator gives importance to observing all that happens within the body, all sensations. Whether they are pleasant, unpleasant, or neutral one learns to observe them objectively, and by doing so one breaks the old habit of wallowing in sensory experiences. By repeatedly observing the arising and passing away of sensations, the meditator learns not to be swayed by them, to keep an inner balance in the face of any experience whatsoever.
In this way the sensations that arise within the body are the base for the practice of both kāyānupassanā and vedanānupassanā. By investigating sensations the meditator explores to the depths the reality of the physical atructure. The understanding arises, "Such is the body and such are bodily sensations, which create so many illusions and complications for us!" Previously one may have understood these phenomena intellectually, but now this understanding becomes the wisdom that develops from experience - the experience of bodily sensations.
The field of mind: cittāmupassanā and dhammānupassanā
Another aspect of the practice of Vipassanā meditation is exploration of mental reality. As body cannot be experienced without the sensations that arise within it, similarly mind cannot be experienced apart from what its contents - in Pāli, Dhamma. Hence observation of mind (cittānupassanā) and observation of mental contents (dhammānupassanā) are inseparable. When the mind contains craving the meditator realizes this fact. When it is free from craving the meditator realizes this as well. Similarly he realizes when the mind contains aversion or ignorance, and when it is free from these defilements. He realizes when the mind is agitated and scattered, or tranquil and concentrated. This is how he practises cittānupassanā.
The meditator simply observes objectively whatever happens within the mind, whatever mental phenomenon, whatever Dhamma; this is the practice of dhammānupassanā. Without becoming upset, he accepts whatever the mind contains at this moment: craving or aversion, sloth and torpor or agitation, guiltiness or sceptical doubts. And the law of nature is such that by observing them objectively, one automatically eradicates these hindrances. The meditator also accepts when such dhammas arise as awareness, penetrative investigation, effort, joy, tranquility, concentration, and equanimity. And the law of nature is such that as one observes objectively, these wholesome mental qualities are multiplied.
Positive or negative, one simply accepts all mental phenomena. All dhammas arise within the dhammas that it contains. Hence dhammānupassanā and cittānupassanā are inseparable.
Further, the meditator realizes that the mind and mental contents are inextricably linked to the body. The mind is constantly in contact with the physical structure; whatever dhammas arise within it have the base not of mind alone but also of body. This physical aspect of mental events is easily apparent when strong emotions or agitation arise, but is exists as part of every mental phenomenon. Even the slightest passing of thought manifests not in the mind alone but in the combined field of mind and matter; that is, it is accompanied by a sensation within the body.
For this reason awareness of physical sensations is essential for the observation of mind and mental contents. Without this awareness, the exploration of mental reality will be imcomplete and superficial.
All that happens within this mental and physical phenomenon manifests as bodily sensation. Every moment there is a contact of mind and matter at the subtlest level, and from this contact sensation arises. By means of sensation one can experience directly every aspect of the phenomenon of oneself. Therefore, not only kāyānupassanā and vedanānupassanā but also cittānupassanā and dhammānupassanā must be practised by observing bodily sensations.
And as the meditator does so he realizes, "Such is the mind, and such is all that it contains: impermanent, ephemeral, dissolving, changing every mement!" This is not a dogma that he accepts on faith alone, not merely the result of logical deduction, not an imagination or the fruit of contemplation. The meditator realizes the truth for himself directly by experiencing and observing bodily sensations.
Thus sensation becomes the base for the exploration of the entire world of mind and matter. Exploring in this way, the meditator comes to understand truth in all its aspects, the whole truth of oneself. This is sampajañña, the fullness of understanding; this is satipaṭṭhāna, the establishing of awareness. This is how to develop wisdom that will be unshakable, because it arises from a realization of the entire truth.
Observation of sensation leads the meditator to experience the ultimate truth of matter, mind, and mental contents: changing every moment. Then transcending the field of mind and matter, one comes to the ultimate truth which is beyond all sensory experience, beyond the phenomenal world. In this transcendent reality there is no more anicca: nothing arises, and therefore nothing passes away. It is a stage without birth or becoming: the deathless. While the meditator experiences this reality, the senses do not function and therefore sensations cease. This is the experience of nirodha, the cessation of sensations and of suffering.
In this way a Vipassana meditator practises all four satipaṭṭhānas by observing the sensations that arise within the body. He realizes directly the changing nature of body and mind, and as he continues the exploration within, at last he comes to the truth- first within the field of mind and matter, and then in the field beyond. This is how dhammānupassanā is practised completely. This is how the four satipaṭṭhānas are properly practised. This is how one's meditation, one's exploration of truth comes to frution.
Come, oh meditators! With the help of bodily sensations let us explore the entire truth of ourselves, and by doing so let us achieve the final goal of real happiness, real peace.