Mindfulness Definition: What Mindfulness is, And What It's Not!

Mindfulness Definition: What Mindfulness is And What It's Not!
#mindfulness #meditation #buddha #Sati #awareness
Mindfulness Defined: Knowing precisely what mindfulness is and what it's not
"In recent years, the world has been awash in a flood of books, articles, teachings, and courses that promote two theories about the practice of mindfulness (sati). The first theory is that the Buddha employed the term mindfulness to mean bare attention: a state of pure receptivity-nonreactive, nonjudging, noninterfering-toward physical and mental phenomena as they make contact with the six senses (counting the mind as the sixth). The second theory is that the cultivation of bare attention can, on its own, bring about the goal of Buddhist practice: freedom from suffering and stress. Even in non-Buddhist circles, these theories have become the standard interpretation of what mindfulness is and how it’s best developed.
Viewed in the light of the Buddha’s teachings in the Pāli Canon, though, these two theories are seriously misleading. At best, they present a small part of the path as the whole of the practice; at worst, they discredit many of the skills you need on the path and misrepresent what it actually means to taste awakening.
The practice of mindfulness is most fruitful when informed by the Buddha’s own definition of right mindfulness and his explanations of its role on the path. As he described the term, right mindfulness (sammā-sati) is not bare attention. Instead, it’s a faculty of active memory, adept at calling to mind-and keeping in mind-instructions and intentions that apply to your present actions. Its role is to draw on right view about the nature of suffering and its end, and to work proactively in supervising the other factors of the path-such as right resolve, right speech, right action, and right livelihood-to give rise to right concentration (MN 117). Then it builds on right concentration to bring about total release."
Chapter 1. Knowing precisely what mindfulness is and what it's not
“And what is the faculty of mindfulness? There is the case where a monk, a disciple of the noble ones, is mindful, highly meticulous, remembering & able to call to mind even things that were done & said long ago. [And here begins the satipaṭṭhāna formula:] He remains focused on the body in & of itself-ardent, alert, and mindful-putting aside greed and distress with reference to the world. He remains focused on feelings in and of themselves… the mind in and of itself… mental qualities in and of themselves-ardent, alert, and mindful-putting aside greed and distress with reference to the world.” - SN 48:10
Mindfulness, Alertness, and Ardency
Chapter 2. Mindfulness in Buddha's vocabulary
Conclusion.

[@theostapel]

Very well argued and explained - a subject unknown to me (long time Raja Yoga meditator) - someone wrote that mindfulness - is Buddhism for the West or for capitalism. As ever - your satsangh - is relevant and purposeful - for a deep insight - which is also not overladen - with terms that are too complex - to analyse. Yet analysis - is clearly done and one gathers jewels - throughout the series. Thank you - for a quality mind - full discussion and inspiration. Fare thee well - on life's journey.

[@annasingh5981]

Sadhu thank you so very much right on point.😊

[@EgoPodcastenglish]

Sadhu 🧡

[@kumudukuruppu5383]

Sadu. Sadu. Very clear analysis and explanation in relation to the overall purpose and practice of lord Buddha's teaching🙏. With metta from Sri Lanka!

[@NawPaw-h3p]

❤❤🙏🙏🙏

[@cdn20782]

The best explanation ever! Thank you sooooo much! I love you :)

[@tanned06]

Thanks for the great video attempting to clarify prevailing misinfo surrounding mindfulness judged from the early Buddhist texts. Just two comments from me: sampajana is not just alertness but it always works in tandem with mindfulness sati as the former adds direction and wisdom to the latter. As Mindfulness has to develop together with right effort that makes sure wholesomeness is continuously maintained and developed whilst unwholesomeness diminishing and not arising, so there's no place for non-judgmental mindset to come in. Appropriate attention executed on non-reactiveness or equanimity-patience is crucial though.

[@smlanka4u]

Sadhu❤Sadhu❤Sadhu❤

[@simsonmails]

i pay respect to your teacher’s teacher, Ajahn Lee. i find reference of him in wikipedia , “Among the forest monks, he devised the most comprehensive meditation instructions, and composed the most detailed map of the jhānas” interesting, i would love to hear more about your comprehension of jhana attainment. i had translation of vitakka previously as initial applied thought, new translation from you is directed thought into one single object, which is kinda similar i guess vicara as evaluation, instead of applicable sustained thought cmiiw though i am not quite sure the later meaning, but in my meditation practice, i usually train with not controlling my breath, keeping alertness to breath continously, that’s what i thought is vicara. but you mention vicara as evaluation and analogy to cooking, we are suggested to find the approriate breathing pace (?) that nourishes the sense of fullness and refreshment (i am assuming those 2 senses are sukha and piti?) interesting, partially i kinda agree based on my several past meditation session, i used to experiment my breathing, sometimes it brought me to certain level energetic state, but later i found it tiresome and not based on Buddha instruction cmiiw, so i dropped it please eloborate more about 5 jhana factors, to emphasize our understanding. thanks

[@shawnc318]

So basically be totally here and now…

[@ElmerTan-ut4qn]

Use the mind of Buddha to understand the Buddha's Teachings then one will attain the true benefits. You don't have wisdom and you wish to have. Chant Amitabha Buddha and recite the Infinite Life Sutra, after a long time your wisdom will unfold. Very simple way to unfold our wisdom but many people are not aware of it. With wisdom, things that you are not supposed to know, you will suddenly be able to understand. Like a small bulb suddenly brighten up. With wisdom there is nothing you cannot resolve. With wisdom, life is free of worries. Amituofo 🙏🙏🙏

[@chensweekee5067]

Ya. Everyone wrong except you.., I guess.

[@friendsnote.1013]

Either your mind is full or it is not… 🙏🙏🙏 The term “mindfulness” has negative connotations and create confusion in humanity. The Buddha is not wrong in his interpretation but humanity is… 🙏🙏🙏