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.
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IanAnd
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Re: The Practical Aspects of Establishing Mindfulness

Post by IanAnd »

alan wrote: I'm just wondering what you meant by "technology". Doesn't seem to apply to meditation. You've laid out the basics very well. But at a certain point doesn't it become a self-sustaining, evolving, emotional endeavor? I'd argue that without a creative impulse, meditation just becomes dry bones.
Maybe I misunderstood you?
You were the one who used the word "technology." You define what you mean by it.

I was only responding to what seems to be the widest definition of the word in relation to the points I made. That's all. Maybe you have misunderstood. Wouldn't be the first time someone has misunderstood. Don't make this into something more than it is.

All I'm saying is that mindfulness is an important factor in "Buddhist" meditation. Nothing more, nothing less. And that even Gotama recognized — and emphasized — this (although he wouldn't have characterized it as "Buddhist").
Last edited by IanAnd on Wed Feb 02, 2011 5:28 am, edited 1 time in total.
"The gift of truth exceeds all other gifts" — Dhammapada, v. 354 Craving XXIV
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IanAnd
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Re: The Practical Aspects of Establishing Mindfulness

Post by IanAnd »

octathlon wrote:Hi Ian,
I like the way you describe and explain things, sometimes helping me understand concepts that I wasn't getting before.
:thanks:
You're welcome. That's the only reason I continue to post here, so that people can understand concepts and practices that they weren't able to understand before. It's all about communicating what I know to be true and what helped me to make progress. That's all.
"The gift of truth exceeds all other gifts" — Dhammapada, v. 354 Craving XXIV
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tiltbillings
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Re: The Practical Aspects of Establishing Mindfulness

Post by tiltbillings »

IanAnd wrote:
alan wrote:
I'm just wondering what you meant by "technology". Doesn't seem to apply to meditation. You've laid out the basics very well. But at a certain point doesn't it become a self-sustaining, evolving, emotional endeavor? I'd argue that without a creative impulse, meditation just becomes dry bones.
Maybe I misunderstood you?
You were the one who used the word "technology." You define what you mean by it.

I was only responding to what seems to be the widest definition of the word in relation to the points I made. That's all. Maybe you have misunderstood. Wouldn't be the first time someone has misunderstood. Don't make this into something more than it is.

All I'm saying is that mindfulness is an important factor in "Buddhist" meditation. Nothing more, nothing less. And that even Gotama recognized — and emphasized — this (although he wouldn't have characterized it as "Buddhist").
Actually, you used the word first here: http://dhammawheel.com/viewtopic.php?f= ... 10#p113083" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


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 onus falls to you to offer, as requested, a definition of the term in question.
>> Do you see a man wise [enlightened/ariya] in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.<< -- Proverbs 26:12

This being is bound to samsara, kamma is his means for going beyond. -- SN I, 38.

“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?” HPatDH p.723
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IanAnd
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Re: The Practical Aspects of Establishing Mindfulness

Post by IanAnd »

I don't recall every little word from everything I've ever written. This was written months ago. Besides, I've already given you the definition I used in a post above.

Meta-discussion removed - Mike
"The gift of truth exceeds all other gifts" — Dhammapada, v. 354 Craving XXIV
alan
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Re: The Practical Aspects of Establishing Mindfulness

Post by alan »

Maybe you wrote it months ago, but your brief series of posts on Jan. 28 concludes with a reference to meditation technology. Just wondering what you meant by that.
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IanAnd
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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
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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.
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