The Practical Aspects of Establishing Mindfulness

General discussion of issues related to Theravada Meditation, e.g. meditation postures, developing a regular sitting practice, skillfully relating to difficulties and hindrances, etc.
User avatar
IanAnd
Posts: 403
Joined: Mon Oct 19, 2009 5:19 am
Location: the deserts of Arizona

Re: The Practical Aspects of Establishing Mindfulness

Post by IanAnd »

For those seeking to enhance their practice of the meditation technology, the cultivation of mindfulness and clear comprehension (sati-sampajañña) are two indispensable tools leading to the improvement of one's ability to establish mindfulness.
The reference to meditation technology in this quotation is in reference to the technology that is taught by Gotama in suttas that discuss meditation in general and in particular. There are many, although two such examples are the Anapanasati Sutta and the Kayagatasati Sutta in the Majjhima Nikaya. But the one sutta that I had in mind and which is already referenced in the post that this quote is found in is the Mahasatipatthana Sutta (DN 22) and the four establishments of mindfulness. Please note that each of these suttas is referencing the establishment of mindfulness of specific objects. I would have thought that was fairly obvious to the attentive reader.

While some may choose not to characterize these sutta instructions as a "technology," I do because it is, by all the evidence we have available to us today, what Gotama taught.
"The gift of truth exceeds all other gifts" — Dhammapada, v. 354 Craving XXIV
dhammapal
Posts: 2646
Joined: Sun Nov 01, 2009 9:23 am
Location: Sydney, Australia

Re: The Practical Aspects of Establishing Mindfulness

Post by dhammapal »

Dhammavuddho Thero wrote:Sati means recollection.
This is another very important term in meditation. Fortunately, a consistent and precise definition of this word is given in nine suttas. The definition of sati is ‘he has recollection, possessing supreme recollection and prudence, one who remembers and recollects what was done and said long ago’. In other words, sati means the quality of remembering, and a suitable translation can be ‘recollection’. It should be mentioned in passing that sati is derived from smrti, which means ‘to remember’. Recollection or remembering does not necessarily refer only to the past. It can be used for the present or even the future, e.g. ‘Remember to lock the gate when you go out.’ Translations of sati in Pali dictionaries include memory, mindfulness etc.. Here, recollection (sati) means calling to mind, paying attention to, contemplating.
http://www.vbgnet.org/resources.asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
From: Mindfulness, Concentration and Recollection
by Dhammavuddho Thero
Also see Mahasi Sayadaw:
http://www.aimwell.org/Books/Mahasi/Sal ... indfulness" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

With metta / dhammapal.
Post Reply