Mindfulness Practice

CUTTING OFF THE STREAM *

THE NATURE OF MIND

Before discussing methods of wisdom development (vipassana), I would like to make sure that you understand concentration development (samadhi), and its consequences. Concentration development is the method of controlling the mind until it attains a state of calmness. Normally, the mind does not stay at one point. It likes to think and to stray from one thought to another, small or large, important or unimportant, pleasant or unpleasant, happy or miscerable. Or it is simply engaged in nonsenses without any purpose or even being aware of it. Its nature is to" think of externals," just like our eyes that see externals only. Therefore if one does not have any techniques to guard one's mind, it will never stay calm. Some people may find that recitation of words can keep their minds on those words, but they have to be mindful and conscious all the time to keep the minds and words together. Once mindfulness slips away, the mind wanders off again, just like an active child whose parents must watch closely to make sure that the child rests, sleeps, studies or eats appropriately. Mindfulness and consciousness will find a way to guard the mind against slipping away from the words recited.

MINDFULNESS NEEDS DETERMINATION

Where there is a will, there is a way. This saying is true for any worldly task. It is especially true for mental tasks, because Dharma practice is a major and subtle task aiming at the eradication of the recycling of life. Therefore it requires a special kind of courage and determination. Strong will is the best quality for Dharma practice. Where there is a strong will, there is mindfulness. As the will gets weaker, mindfulness does too. If will is lacking, the person tends to lose mindfulness all the time, and the practice is without any good result. Strong will is therefore a prime requirement for good practice. This determination is the way to make the mind concentrate easily, for concentration is determination; if there is determination, the firmness of mind will be there.

Phra Acariya Thoon Khippapanno


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