Mindfulness

What is Mindfulness ? Every Human being is endowed with this faculty can experience it …. But so difficult to define Be Mindful Be Aware What is the word in Hindi for ‘meditation’ ? Normally we would ask? Mindful of what, aware of what ?

Mindfulness Emotions Thoughts Mindfulness Body : postures, Activities, movements, sensations Moment by moment Non- judgmental Open curiosity Feelings Perceptions Non- reactive Being Consciously aware of

What is Mindfulness ? Three functions of Mindfulness –Mindfulness reminds us what we are supposed to be doing … it is both the bare attention and the function of reminding us to pay bare attention when we have ceased to do so. –Mindfulness sees things as they really are …. No evaluation, no preferences –Mindfulness sees the true nature of all phenomena … viz. Impermanence, unsatisfactoriness, self-lessness

What is Mindfulness ? Mindfulness actually sees these things.. It does not think about them. It sees them directly ! When fully developed it sees the characteristics of existence directly, like an electron microscope … it reveals those realities which are normally ‘invisible’ Learning to integrate Mindfulness in our conscious life needs practice. This is what we will be doing in this workshop !

Four facets of Mindfulness Body – postures, activities, breathing, – its impermanent/impersonal nature, absence of bodily beauty … beauty is skin deep. Feelings – to counter incessant search for pleasant feelings State of mind – impermanent nature of all subjective experience Mental contents / phenomena –illusory nature of the notion of a substantial and permanent self.

Mental qualities needed for strengthening Mindfulness Diligence : – balanced but dedicated continuity of practice Clear knowing : – processing of input data …to the discern its characteristics, thereby leading to removal of ignorance and arising of wisdom…from appearance to Reality! … Mindful:.. …... full awareness of whatever is happening… …. unadulterated by habitual reactions and projections difference from concentration  focus on the single object to the exclusion of everything, mindfulness  broader awareness of whatever is happening Free from desires and discontent …. – Likes and dislikes in regard to what is perceived …non judgemental observation – Sensory restraint ….need for developing concentration of mind

Day 2 Mindfulness of breathing.. its importance …who is breathing ? concentration or insight development? –.. making a mental note of the nature of respiration. Mindfulness of feelings.. origin of feelings –eye + form -> eye consciousness + contact -> feeling Arising from contact at various sense doors. –… whole life we keep on chasing pleasant feelings and running away from unpleasant ones.. knowing { or not knowing} very well that these are impermanent.

DAY 2 Essence of practice: being aware of variety of feelings experienced, – making a mental note of their nature, – discerning their essential characteristic of impermanence – training the mind not to develop craving/ aversion for the evanescent feeling …….how? Body scan – a systematic way of awareness of feelings …need for mental note Why choosing body contact for practice?

DAY 3 Mindfulness of state of mind.... its importance … –Various states usually experienced Essence of practice: being aware of variety of mental states experienced – making a mental note –discerning their essential characteristic of impermanence –training the mind not to develop craving / aversion towards the evanescent mental states

DAY 4 Mindfulness of mental contents / phenomena –its importance … Essence of practice: being aware of variety of mental contents experienced, – making a mental note, –discerning their essential characteristic of impermanence –training the mind not to develop craving/ aversion for these…. – Results in extinction of -ve mental contents ( obstructions) and strengthening of + attributes ( enlightenment factors) Difference from traditional understanding – counter intuitive nature of the practice

The Guest House This being human is a guest house. Every morning a new arrival. A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor. Welcome and entertain them all! Even if they're a crowd of sorrows, who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture, still, treat each guest honorably. He may be clearing you out for some new delight. The dark thought, the shame, the malice, meet them at the door laughing, and invite them in. Be grateful for whoever comes, because each has been sent as a guide from beyond. ~ Rumi ~

DAY 5 Why do we suffer ? –Apparent cause ….. Real cause How the practice will help reduce suffering. –Benefits of this practice ?

Benefits of practice…….1 Self control – pausing before action=> look before you leap....mindfulness acts like the brakes on a car … –seize that decisive moment when the mind is still open to receive skillful directions, – reduction in rash and aggressive behaviour Ability to face the vicissitudes of life with equanimity –reduction in escapist tendencies: smoking, drinking, drugs –

Benefits of practice…….2 Increase in concentration & efficiency reduced digressive thoughts & day dreams… practice of living in the present Clarity of goals and the hierarchy of values, ability to resist temptations, distinguish between ‘urgent’ and ‘important’ and say NO

Benefits of practice……3 Proper self appraisal-knowledge of strengths and Weaknesses –… mindfulness is like a mirror Increases Humility and Forgiveness

Benefits of practice……4 Increased selfless love and compassion – improvement in relationships, working together mental impurities are the enemies which besiege our inner household and destroy our peace and harmony Think WIN-WIN SYNERGISING Motivation for self less service

Benefits of practice……5 Manifestation of higher ‘needs’ - increased self fulfillment Reduces attachment to ‘self’ – opens the GATEWAY to abiding peace and happiness.

There are no problems in Life……...only situations Respond unwisely : suffer Respond wisely : grow

Pragmatism & Wisdom Accepting what we can not change, changing what we can, and knowing the difference between the two ! {pragmatism} The wisdom of “Impermanence”=> whatever arises due to conditions, ceases naturally in due course ! Thoughts, emotions are evanescent, would cease naturally provided we do not interfere Patient self observation is the key to innate transformation!

Thank you ! Questions ?