The Discourse (from the Third Foundation)
“Here one knows a mind affected by greed as a mind affected by greed, and a mind unaffected by greed to be without greed. One knows a mind affected by hate as a mind affected by hate, and mind unaffected by hate to be without hate. One knows a mind affected by delusion as a mind affected by delusion, and mind unaffected by delusion to be without delusion.”
Commentary
In this short excerpt from the Sutra, Buddha crystalizes Mindfulness of the Mind. The word “knows” means our own direct experience in the mind (and body) of greed, hatred and delusion as well as the absence of greed hatred and delusion ) and their skillful manifestations as generosity/renunciation, kindness, and clarity/wisdom.
Every moment of consciousness can be classified according to the mental factors with which it is associated. From the standpoint of reaching deeper stages of awareness, the most important classification of consciousness is that associated with volition (intention), since the intention behind our actions determine whether our momentary acts of consciousness are skillful or unskillful. The Dalai Lama has said that “the skillfulness of actions should not be judged by success or failure, but by the motivation that are behind them.”
Both skillful and unskillful states of mind are considered to be the “roots” of actions, since all behaviors originate in these states. The three unskillful roots are greed, which can manifest as attachment, craving, lust, or desire; hatred, which can appear as aversion, anger, or ill-will; and delusion, which emerges as spiritual blindness, confusion, or ignorance. When greed or hatred is present, so is delusion. The three skillful roots are generosity or renunciation, loving-kindness or compassion, and wisdom or spiritual understanding.
If unskillful states are allowed to run unimpeded through the mind, the thoughts, words, and deeds we commit from those mind states will result in circumstances that will hinder our spiritual progress. On the other hand, if we cultivate skillful states of mind, our thoughts, words, and deeds will result in circumstances that will support the arising of more advanced stages of spiritual development.
Mindfulness
Please reread all the prior descriptions of mindfulness (i.e. it is nonjudgmental awareness) or we may we stray into judging the mind states that we are trying to observe. It is important to remember and acknowledge that an unskillful mind state does not make you a bad person and it is not “wrong” for those mind states to arise. Further, it does not mean that something is amiss with your practice. This mistaken attitude and approach will only lead to more aversion and suffering. We are actually focusing on changing our relationship to the mind.
Sitting Practice and Throughout the Day
While sitting, continue to use the breath as the primary object. For the rest of the day, continue to be mindful of whatever you are doing.
For the first exercise, we need to know directly and completely when the mind is with greed or without greed; when the mind is with aversion or without aversion, and when the mind is with delusion or without delusion. Please practice with this.
GREED
Greed feels like a fire and can manifest as an excitement of mind when it arises as lust. It is a burning desire to grasp at some experience and make it our own. It can be felt as attachment when the mind glues on to something in an attempt to hold on to a pleasant feeling or experience. It can manifest as a yearning for another person or cause the mind to fantasize about a desired outcome.
Recognize greed when it is occurring in the mind. We are not trying to overcome it by changing the mind state at that moment. We want to observe it non-cognitively, to become directly aware of the experiences of greed free of labels or concepts. We want to isolate the experience and pay single-minded mindful attention to it when it arises and what the direct experience is.
1. All mind states, including greed, are impermanent.
2. We want to become fully mindful of the experience of greed so that we can stay with it until it passes away.
3. At that moment the mind will be without greed. When we are mindful of greed there is only mindfulness present- the greed is replaced by mindfulness. Observe this state carefully and thoroughly.
4. In addition to not being filled with greed, when the mind has seen the impermanent nature of greed, the mind is rooted in non-delusion, spiritual understanding, or wisdom. Observe that experience.
5. The mind may also be filled with feelings of generosity or renunciation after the greed has passed away. Mindfully observe these experiences as well.
6. As we discussed, consciousness can only have one object at a time. When mindfulness, a skillful state of mind, uncovers the presence of an unskillful state, at that moment that particular state no longer exists. In the same way that a boat moving through the water leaves a wake, whatever experience passes through the mind also leaves a wake or impression in the mind. Mindfulness recognizes the presence of the impression left by the unskillful state. Therefore, merely through the application of mindfulness we are turning unskillful states of mind into skillful ones.
7. Do you truly understand these instructions? It is essential that you do for further progress to be made.
AVERSION
Aversion feels like the mind being gripped with an unpleasant experience and the body becomes contracted. Aversion manifests as a pushing away of unpleasant experiences. We may feel anger, fear, or hatred in the mind with corresponding sensations in the body. We need to recognize aversion when it is occurring in the mind.
1. It is important to become fully mindful of the experience of aversion so that we can stay with it until it passes away.
2. At that moment the mind will be without aversion; observe this state carefully and thoroughly.
3. In addition to not being filled with aversion, when the mind has seen the impermanent nature of aversion, the mind is rooted in non-delusion, spiritual understanding, or wisdom.
4. At that time the mind may be filled with feelings of loving-kindness or compassion.
5. After the aversion has passed away, mindfully observe these skillful states of mind.
6. To Summarize: As we discussed, consciousness can only have one object at a time. When mindfulness, a skillful state of mind, uncovers the presence of an unskillful state, at that moment that particular state no longer exists. In the same way that a boat moving through the water leaves a wake, whatever experience passes through the mind also leaves a wake or impression in the mind. Mindfulness recognizes the presence of the impression left by the unskillful state. Therefore, merely through the application of mindfulness we are turning unskillful states of mind into skillful ones.
DELUSION
Delusion feels like the mind being caught in a net of confusion, like being in a mental fog, like running around in circles getting nowhere. It can manifest as doubt or uncertainty about practice or about our lives in general.
1. Delusion presents an additional difficulty. How can we know that the mind is deluded when we are confused? If deluded, how do we know it is deluded? We do this by remembering how the mind felt when it was clear and not deluded.
2. We need to watch the mind as delusion begins to arise so that you can see that the mind that was clear a moment ago is slipping into delusion. It’s like slipping into sleep. We need to recognize when delusion is present in the mind. It often manifests as a judging, critical mind. We are critical of our self! This should set off the delusion alarms. What does this feel like? Is this criticism accurate? Really accurate or is it an exaggeration? Is it helpful?
3. It is important to become fully mindful of the experience of delusion so that we can stay with it until it passes away.
4. At that moment the mind will be without delusion – observe this state carefully and thoroughly.
5. In addition to not being filled with delusion, when the mind has seen the impermanent nature of delusion, the mind is rooted in non-delusion, spiritual understanding, or wisdom.
6. Often we become aware of delusion when we reflect back on a situation. We still can use mindfulness to recall the confusion, fog and ignorance that was manifesting.
To Summarize: As we discussed, consciousness can only have one object at a time. When mindfulness, a skillful state of mind, uncovers the presence of an unskillful state, at that moment that particular state no longer exists. In the same way that a boat moving through the water leaves a wake, whatever experience passes through the mind also leaves a wake or impression in the mind. Mindfulness recognizes the presence of the impression left by the unskillful state. Therefore, merely through the application of mindfulness we are turning unskillful states of mind into skilful ones.
Please remember that mind states are not the problem. They are just part of what is experienced through the conditioned mind. We are trying to change the relationship to the mind by becoming mindful and realizing its impermanent and selfless nature.
Please be crystal clear about this point.
These meditations are an important bridge to the spiritual work that lies ahead. Please continue to practice being aware of these mind states! The clear Mind (Consciousness) can be such a source of contentment if we practice and develop it skillfully.
