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See: Exercises: Buddha on Mind (Set 1)

Reference: The 12 Aspects of Mindfulness

After one has established mindfulness in feelings, one may start working on establishing mindfulness in consciousness. Here one takes up key “filters” that one could be looking through in order to become conscious. These may be attitudes that one has somehow imbibed. One examines them and contemplates upon them mindfully.

Note: The Buddhist concept of consciousness is defined here: Consciousness

Here are some excerpts from Satipatthana Sutta: The Foundations of Mindfulness.

“And how, monks, does a monk live contemplating consciousness in consciousness?

“Herein, monks, a monk knows the consciousness with lust, as with lust; the consciousness without lust, as without lust; the consciousness with hate, as with hate; the consciousness without hate, as without hate; the consciousness with ignorance, as with ignorance; the consciousness without ignorance, as without ignorance; the shrunken state of consciousness, as the shrunken state;  the distracted state of consciousness, as the distracted state;  the developed state of consciousness as the developed state; the undeveloped state of consciousness as the undeveloped state; the state of consciousness with some other mental state superior to it, as the state with something mentally higher; the state of consciousness with no other mental state superior to it, as the state with nothing mentally higher; the concentrated state of consciousness, as the concentrated state; the unconcentrated state of consciousness, as the unconcentrated state; the freed state of consciousness, as the freed state; and the unfreed state of consciousness as the unfreed state.

“Thus he lives contemplating consciousness in consciousness internally, or he lives contemplating consciousness in consciousness externally, or he lives contemplating consciousness in consciousness internally and externally. He lives contemplating origination factors in consciousness, or he lives contemplating dissolution-factors in consciousness, or he lives contemplating origination-and-dissolution factors in consciousness. Or his mindfulness is established with the thought, “Consciousness exists,” to the extent necessary just for knowledge and mindfulness, and he lives detached, and clings to nothing in the world. Thus, monks, a monk lives contemplating consciousness in consciousness.”

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EXERCISE

PURPOSE:   To practice mindfulness with regard to consciousness.

Note: Make sure you understand the Buddhist concept of consciousness. Please see: Consciousness.

1. At all times be aware of your consciousness.

   In the words of Buddha:

   • Know the consciousness with lust, as with lust;
     

   • Know the consciousness without lust, as without lust;
     

   • Know the consciousness with hate, as with hate;
     

   • Know the consciousness without hate, as without hate;
     

   • Know the consciousness with ignorance, as with ignorance;
     

   • Know the consciousness without ignorance, as without ignorance;

   • Know the shrunken state of consciousness, as the shrunken state;

   • Know the distracted state of consciousness, as the distracted state;

   • Know the developed state of consciousness as the developed state;

   • Know the undeveloped state of consciousness as the undeveloped state;

   • Know the state of consciousness with some other mental state superior to it, as the state with something mentally higher;

   • Know the state of consciousness with no other mental state superior to it, as the state with nothing mentally higher;

   • Know the concentrated state of consciousness, as the concentrated state;

   • Know the unconcentrated state of consciousness, as the unconcentrated state;

   • Know the freed state of consciousness, as the freed state;
     

   • Know the unfreed state of consciousness as the unfreed state;

2. Look at the consciousness that is uppermost in your mind. Look at what is right there associated with it. Do not go digging for information by trying to remember.

3. Become thoroughly immersed in the consciousness until you become aware of dominant filter underlying that consciousness. 

4. Look at how your condition and attitude toward life is being determined by the filter.

5. If any thoughts or considerations appear during this process notice them mindfully, and accept them for what they are.

6. If a picture appears during this process then look at it for what it is. You may make a copy just like it and place it next to it. You may even make more copies until you feel you have enough. Then simply dispose of all these copies in any manner you wish. If some part of a picture is still remaining then repeat this step.

7. Continue experiencing the consciousness without resistance as long as it is there. Be mindful of the thoughts, considerations, pictures, ideas, etc., that flow along with the consciousness. The filter underlying that consciousness will finally reduce as you practice mindfulness.

8. Continue with the next consciousness that is now uppermost in the mind from step 2 forward. If there is no specific consciousness to take up, then simply go back to step 1.

9. Continue contemplating consciousness internally and/or as observed externally.

10. Be mindful of the origination factors in consciousness, and/or the dissolution factors in consciousness.

11. Be mindful that consciousness exists to the extent necessary just for knowledge and mindfulness.

12. Live detached, and cling to nothing in the world.

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Further references: KHTK Mindfulness

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