Vinaire's Blog

Reference: Mindfulness Approach

Note: These exercises are derived directly from Buddhist scriptures, specifically, from Satipatthana Sutta: The Foundations of Mindfulness.

.

In this exercise one contemplates on the following five aggregates of clinging.

1. Material form
2. Feeling
3. Perception
4. Formations
5. Consciousness

Aggregates are factors that are working together in combination as a physio-psychological machine. Aggregates of clinging are part of the mental objects that one needs to be mindful of.

.

EXERCISE # 1

PURPOSE: The Contemplation of MATERIAL FORMS as mental objects

PREREQUISITE: All exercises up to Exercises: Buddha on Mind (Set 2)

GUIDING PRINCIPLE:  The Discipline of Mindfulness

STEPS:

1. Look at the fact that there are material forms. Contemplate on the existence of material forms. Examine the reality of material forms for discontinuity, disharmony or inconsistency.

2. Look at the fact that material forms arise. Contemplate on the arising of material forms. Examine the arising of material form closely as above

3. Look at the fact that material forms disappear. Contemplate on the disappearance of material forms. Examine the disappearance of material form closely as above.

4. Contemplate on material forms as observed internally within you and also externally in others.

5. Contemplate on factors that shape material forms and/or which dissolve material forms.

6. Contemplate on mental forms as existing to the extent necessary just for knowledge and mindfulness.

7. Repeat this exercise in “20 minute sessions”, until you can comfortably view mental forms as mental objects leading to clinging.

.

EXERCISE # 2

PURPOSE: The Contemplation of FEELINGS as mental objects

PREREQUISITE: Exercise # 1 above

GUIDING PRINCIPLE:  The Discipline of Mindfulness

STEPS:

1. Look at the fact that there are feelings. Contemplate on the existence of feelings. Examine the reality of feelings for discontinuity, disharmony or inconsistency.

2. Look at the fact that feelings arise. Contemplate on the arising of feelings. Examine the arising of feelings closely as above

3. Look at the fact that feelings disappear. Contemplate on the disappearance of feelings. Examine the disappearance of feelings closely as above.

4. Contemplate on feelings as observed internally within you and also externally in others.

5. Contemplate on factors that shape feelings and/or which dissolve feelings.

6. Contemplate on feelings as existing to the extent necessary just for knowledge and mindfulness.

7. Repeat this exercise in “20 minute sessions”, until you can comfortably view feelings as mental objects leading to clinging.

.

EXERCISE # 3

PURPOSE: The Contemplation of PERCEPTIONS as mental objects

PREREQUISITE: Exercise # 2 above

GUIDING PRINCIPLE:  The Discipline of Mindfulness

STEPS:

1. Look at the fact that there are perceptions. Contemplate on the existence of perceptions. Examine the reality of perceptions for discontinuity, disharmony or inconsistency.

2. Look at the fact that perceptions arise. Contemplate on the arising of perceptions. Examine the arising of perceptions closely as above

3. Look at the fact that perceptions disappear. Contemplate on the disappearance of perceptions. Examine the disappearance of perceptions closely as above.

4. Contemplate on perceptions as observed internally within you and also externally in others.

5. Contemplate on factors that shape perceptions and/or which dissolve perceptions.

6. Contemplate on perceptions as existing to the extent necessary just for knowledge and mindfulness.

7. Repeat this exercise in “20 minute sessions”, until you can comfortably view perceptions as mental objects leading to clinging.

.

EXERCISE # 4

PURPOSE: The Contemplation of FORMATIONS as mental objects

PREREQUISITE: Exercise # 3 above

GUIDING PRINCIPLE:  The Discipline of Mindfulness

STEPS:

1. Look at the fact that there are formations. Contemplate on the existence of formations. Examine the reality of formations for discontinuity, disharmony or inconsistency.

2. Look at the fact that formations arise. Contemplate on the arising of formations. Examine the arising of formations closely as above

3. Look at the fact that formations disappear. Contemplate on the disappearance of formations. Examine the disappearance of formations closely as above.

4. Contemplate on formations as observed internally within you and also externally in others.

5. Contemplate on factors that shape formations and/or which dissolve formations.

6. Contemplate on formations as existing to the extent necessary just for knowledge and mindfulness.

7. Repeat this exercise in “20 minute sessions”, until you can comfortably view formations as mental objects leading to clinging.

.

EXERCISE # 5

PURPOSE: The Contemplation of CONSCIOUSNESS as mental object

PREREQUISITE: Exercise # 4 above

GUIDING PRINCIPLE:  The Discipline of Mindfulness

STEPS:

1. Look at the fact that there is consciousness. Contemplate on the existence of consciousness. Examine the reality of consciousness for discontinuity, disharmony or inconsistency.

2. Look at the fact that consciousness arises. Contemplate on the arising of consciousness. Examine the arising of consciousness closely as above

3. Look at the fact that consciousness disappears. Contemplate on the disappearance of consciousness. Examine the disappearance of consciousness closely as above.

4. Contemplate on consciousness as observed internally within you and also externally in others.

5. Contemplate on factors that shape consciousness and/or which dissolve consciousness.

6. Contemplate on consciousness as existing to the extent necessary just for knowledge and mindfulness.

7. Repeat this exercise in “20 minute sessions”, until you can comfortably view consciousness as mental object leading to clinging.

.