Let’s start with the premise that we all want to be happy. Happiness is living in harmony with the truth of this unfolding present moment. Our mindfulness practice trains the mind to see with clarity what is unfolding. Mindfulness slows down the movement from our thoughts to our actions.
While mindfulness has a receptive quality, when linked with the active quality of clear comprehension we have qualities of mind that link the meditative receptiveness and awareness of meditation with our everyday life of decisions, speech and actions.
The Buddhist commentaries describe four kinds of Clear Comprehension:
1 Clear Comprehension of purpose/intention. This asks the question; “Is it (our speech and action) beneficial?”. We stop to consider what is the motivation behind our actions and does it benefit our self or others. We need total honesty here because many times our motives are at best mixed. What is the motive behind our generosity (expecting something in return?) for example. Or,what is the motive behind our “constructive criticism”? Our exploration is one of investigation and is non judgmental.
2 Clear Comprehension of suitablility. This asks the question; Is this the right time, place and method?” At times our motives are pure but sometimes circumstances appropriately limit the suitability of the action/speech. We ask our self “what will the effect of our actions/words be on others? Am I enabling someone even though my intentions are skillful? This clear comprehension leads us to wise choice of words, methods and actions.
3 Clear Comprehension of Domain of practice. This asks the question; “ Is this (action, speech, etc) part of my practice”-or “ Do I want to go there?” Blending our spiritual practice into our lives involves seeing clearly whether an action is in alignment with our values. While it may initially appear that everything is within the domain of our practice the Buddha said that what is not within the scope/domain of our practice is “wandering in the five strands of the senses”. If we wander into the domain of being pulled into sense experiences in our attempt to find happiness we have just wandered out of the domain/scope of practice. What is our domain? He said ”It is the Four Foundations of Mindfulness”; Mindfulness of Body (breath and body); quality of our sense experiences; our mind states; and categories of experience that lead to toward or away from peace. Staying within the domain/scope of your practice leads to a transformation of consciousness.
4 Clear Comprehension of Non-Delusion/Reality. This asks the question;” Is this about me and mine?”. The most common cause of our suffering is the firm belief that we are separate from everything else. This lack of clarity causes us to grasp and push away leading to the myriad forms of craving and aversion.
How do we know when we are operating from this illusion of a separate self? The simplest way is to observe in our own direct experience that our serenity is disturbed; we experience the afflictive emotions of anger, or craving; there is a tightening and tension in the body and mind; and we identify with the form of this body, my sense experiences, my memories, my thoughts, and emotions as “me and mine”.
When we practice with clear comprehension our actions arise from the “true heart’s release”, we see with clarity; we are in harmony and we find happiness.
May you be well, happy and peaceful. Floyd
