Contemplation on the Mind

Week of March 13, 2005 – Contemplation on the Mind


It is written in the Mahasatipatthana Sutra:

And how, bhikkhus, does a bhikkhu dwell perceiving again and again the mind (citta) as just the mind (not mine, not I, not self but just a phenomenon)?

Here (in this teaching), bhikkhus, when a mind with greed (raga) arises, a bhikkhu knows, "This is a mind with greed"; or when a mind without greed arises, he knows, "This is a mind without greed"; when a mind with anger (dosa) " arises, he knows, "This is a mind with anger"; or when a mind without anger arises, he knows, "This is a mind without anger"; when a mind with delusion (moha) arises, he knows, "This is a mind with delusion"; or when a mind without delusion arises, he knows, "This is a mind without delusion"; or when a lazy, slothful mind (samkhittacitta) arises, he knows, "This is a lazy, slothful mind"; or when a distracted mind (vikkhittacitta) arises, he knows, "This is a distracted mind"; or when a developed mind (mahagattacitta) arises, he knows, "This is a developed mind"; or when an undeveloped mind (amahagattacitta) arises, he knows, "This is an undeveloped mind"; or when an inferior mind (sauttaracitta) arises, he knows, "This is an inferior mind"; or when a superior mind (anuttaracitta) arises, he knows, "This is a superior mind"; or when a concentrated mind (samahitacitta) arises, he knows, "This is a concentrated mind"; or when an unconcentrated mind (asamahitacitta) arises, he knows, "This is an unconcentrated mind''; or when a mind temporarily free from defilements (vimutticitta) arises, he knows, "This is a mind temporarily free from defilements"; or when a mind not free from defilements (avimutticitta) arises, he knows, "This is a mind not free from defilements".

Thus he dwells perceiving again and again the mind as just the mind (not mine, not I, not self but just a phenomenon) in himself; or he dwells perceiving again and again the mind as just the mind in others; or he dwells perceiving again and again the mind as just the mind in both himself and in others. He dwells perceiving again and again the cause and the actual appearing of the mind; or he dwells perceiving again and again the cause and the actual dissolution of the mind; or he dwells perceiving again and again both the actual appearing and dissolution of the mind with their causes. To summarize, he is firmly mindful of the fact that only the mind exists (not a soul, self or I). That mindfulness is just for gaining insight (vipassana) and mindfulness progressively. Being detached from craving and wrong views he dwells without clinging to anything in the world. Thus, bhikkhus, in this way a bhikkhu dwells perceiving again and again the mind as just the mind.


In summary, when we practice, we should perceive the mind (not mine, not I, not self but just a phenomenon) in ourselves and others; we should perceive the actually appearing and dissolution of the mind and itswith their causes.

Following the contemplation onf the body (form) and feelings (mental) is the contemplation on the mind.

In the Theravada tradition, the third base of Mindfulness is - Contemplation on the Mind (as the Mind).

In the Mahayana tradition, the third base is elaborated as - Contemplation on Mind as Impermanent or Mindfulness of the States of Consciousness.

The mind works very mysteriously and marvelously. When we are not aware the mind works on its own and is being affected by the external factors, the body and the feeling. However, when we are mindful wecan be are in control of our thoughts. We can influence the course of events or /happenings by being mindful.

It is written in the Song of Enlightenment:

If we regard criticism as merit,
The critics will become reliable friends.
Do not hate those who slander you,
How else can you manifest the unborn power of compassion?

Whether yourY critics or your friends, your enemies or your lovers, it is all in the mind. In the mind is contained all phenomenaon. When we think positively, we generate positive energy and fill our surroundings with positivity. Likewise when we think negatively, we generate negative energy and fill our surroundings with negativity. The way we think, our perception, our mind affects our feelings and emotions, which in turns affects our actions and creates a continuous course of happenings. If we can revolutionize our outlook/perception, we can easily transform our course of actions.

Ch’an is the training of the mind - training the mind to observe, to understand and to transform itself. Remember the two aspects of contemplation – knowing and understanding. We begin with knowing our mind, then we try to understand our mind, and finally, we use wisdom and compassion to handle our mind, which in turns generates wisdom and compassion in our lives.

Keep on practicing, there areis no limits as to the vastness and aptitude of your mind!