Via Dhamma Wheel | Right Mindfulness and Concentration: Establishing Mindfulness of Mental Objects and the Fourth Jhāna

 

RIGHT MINDFULNESS Establishing Mindfulness of Mental Objects A person goes to the forest or to the root of a tree or to an empty place and sits down. Having crossed the legs, one sets the body erect. One establishes the presence of mindfulness. (MN 10) One is aware: "Ardent, fully aware, mindful, I am content." (SN 47.10)   When sensual desire is internally present, one is aware: "Sensual desire is present for me." When sensual desire is not present, one is aware: "Sensual desire is not present for me." When the arising of unarisen sensual desire occurs, one  is aware of that. And when the abandoning of arisen sensual desire occurs, one is aware of that. . . . One is just aware, just mindful: "There is a mental object." And one abides not clinging to anything in the world. (MN 10)

Reflection The fourth basis for the establishment of mindfulness is the mindfulness of mental objects. While mindfulness of mind focuses on the quality of consciousness, mindfulness of mental objects turns to the specific contents of consciousness. Every moment is a moment of knowing something, and the mind takes up one object after another just as a monkey takes hold of one branch after another as it swings through the trees. Here we notice this. Daily Practice The text does not direct us to be aware of whatever random thoughts come to mind but leads us through a number of specific mental objects as understood by Buddhist psychology. We center here on the first of the five hindrances. Notice when sensual desire is present in the mind and when it is absent. Notice also how it arises and how you can decide to abandon or let go of it. We are practicing observing mental flux.  RIGHT CONCENTRATION Approaching and Abiding in the Fourth Phase of Absorption (4th Jhāna) With the abandoning of pleasure and pain, and with the previous disappearance of joy and grief, one enters into and abides in the fourth phase of absorption, which has neither-pain-nor-pleasure and purity of mindfulness as a result of equanimity. The concentrated mind is thus purified, bright, unblemished, rid of imperfection, malleable, wieldy, steady, and attained to imperturbability. (MN 4) Reflection The four stages of mental absorption described in the system of jhānas culminate with the attainment of a profound and imperturbable equanimity. In this state the mind is free of both craving and aversion, neither favors nor opposes any mental object, and is able to simply regard things as they actually are, undistorted by our projections and fears. Notice also that such equanimity has the effect of purifying mindfulness. Daily Practice Sitting quietly and allowing the mind to become more and more peaceful, progressively "more unified, and gradually steadier will eventually culminate in the quality of mind described here. This is not a transcendent state but rather a natural, immanent state of mind. See if you can allow your mind to become still like tranquil water and watch the mind reflect whatever comes before it without distortion.  Tomorrow: Understanding the Noble Truth of Suffering One week from today: Establishing Mindfulness of Body and Abiding in the First Jhāna Share your thoughts and join the conversation on social media #DhammaWheel Questions? Visit the Dhamma Wheel orientation page.

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