Mindfulness as non-judgmental awareness revisited

General discussion of issues related to Theravada Meditation, e.g. meditation postures, developing a regular sitting practice, skillfully relating to difficulties and hindrances, etc.
ToVincent
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Re: Mindfulness as non-judgmental awareness revisited

Post by ToVincent »

ieee23 wrote:I recently discovered this old blog entry by Ajahn Sujato on the topic of what mindfulness is
.
Mindfulness has been defined pretty clearly by the Buddha, and expressed in both the early suttas and sutras in unisson.

Mindfulness is exactly what I said in the previous post (that is to say, what the Buddha said).
viewtopic.php?f=41&t=29917&start=60#p439298
External stimulus from an external āyatana >> Descent of the indriya in the internal āyatana >> sense-consciousness >> contact >> feeling >> perception >> thoughts & concretism (vitakka & vicāra).
Viz. recalling the Teaching. ( like https://suttacentral.net/en/sn35.238/12 & https://suttacentral.net/en/sn35.245/14-15 )
Viz. that one should first restrain the indriyani. That is the essence of the Teaching.
Viz. that one should be "mindful" of the things going on - and be jugmental. (see previous links)

This is why mindfulness has to be jugmental.
Just because the Buddha said so (in the EBTs, with parallels).
Period.

In other words, don't talk uselessly - Restrain! :)
Last edited by ToVincent on Sun Oct 01, 2017 5:58 pm, edited 1 time in total.
In this world, there are many people acting and yearning for the Mara's world; some for the Brahma's world; and very few for the Unborn.
Saengnapha
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Re: Mindfulness as non-judgmental awareness revisited

Post by Saengnapha »

ToVincent wrote: Sun Oct 01, 2017 3:36 pm [quote="ieee23]I recently discovered this old blog entry by Ajahn Sujato on the topic of what mindfulness is.
Mindfulness has been defined pretty clearly by the Buddha, and expressed in both the early suttas and sutras in unisson.

Mindfulness is exactly what I said in the previous post (that is to say, what the Buddha said).
viewtopic.php?f=41&t=29917&start=60#p439298
External stimulus from an external āyatana >> Descent of the indriya in the internal āyatana >> sense-consciousness >> contact >> feeling >> perception >> thoughts & concretism (vitakka & vicāra).
Viz. recalling the Teaching. ( like https://suttacentral.net/en/sn35.238/12 & https://suttacentral.net/en/sn35.245/14-15 )
Viz. that one should first restrain the indriyani. That is the essence of the Teaching.
Viz. that one should be "mindful" of the things going on - and be jugmental. (see previous links)

This is why mindfulness has to be jugmental.
Just because the Buddha said so (in the EBTs, with parallels).
Period.

In other words, don't talk uselessly - Restrain! :)
It's very difficult to follow your argument. Maybe you can cut and paste specifically, where the Buddha says to be judgemental. Perhaps you are interpreting judgemental in a way that it is not meant?
ToVincent
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Re: Mindfulness as non-judgmental awareness revisited

Post by ToVincent »

Saengnapha wrote: Sun Oct 01, 2017 4:19 pm It's very difficult to follow your argument. Maybe you can cut and paste specifically, where the Buddha says to be judgemental. Perhaps you are interpreting judgemental in a way that it is not meant?
Merriam-Webster (since 1828) wrote: Judgmental:
- of, relating to, or involving judgment.
Judgment:
- the process of forming an opinion or evaluation by discerning and comparing.
The basic fraud today is to say that mindfulness should be a non judgmental awareness, about any experience.
I have just given you a link above, not only to the sutta, but to the exact extracts, in which the Buddha says that one should be mindful AND judgmental. But let me resume the gist of it.

Mindful like a gatekeeper, that is discerning (being judgmental) between what to let in, or out.
The gatekeeper posted there would be wise, competent, and intelligent; one who keeps out strangers and admits acquaintances.
......
‘The gatekeeper’: this is a designation for mindfulness.
SN 35.245
If you don't understand simile; then there is nothing much I can do.
People who do understand simile, will easily understand what is meant there. Viz. that one should not let everything in.
Period.
In this world, there are many people acting and yearning for the Mara's world; some for the Brahma's world; and very few for the Unborn.
Spiny Norman
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Re: Mindfulness as non-judgmental awareness revisited

Post by Spiny Norman »

ToVincent wrote: Sun Oct 01, 2017 6:30 pm The basic fraud today is to say that mindfulness should be a non judgmental awareness, about any experience.
I have just given you a link above, not only to the sutta, but to the exact extracts, in which the Buddha says that one should be mindful AND judgmental. But let me resume the gist of it.
Mindful like a gatekeeper, that is discerning (being judgmental) between what to let in, or out.
The gatekeeper posted there would be wise, competent, and intelligent; one who keeps out strangers and admits acquaintances.
......
‘The gatekeeper’: this is a designation for mindfulness.
SN 35.245
Mindfulness certainly includes that active role of guarding the senses, moderating Right Effort, acting mindfully, and so on. I think though what is being discussed here is a particular approach to practice, including "bare attention".

Also "judgemental" can sound pejorative, so personally I prefer "discernment".
Buddha save me from new-agers!
Saengnapha
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Re: Mindfulness as non-judgmental awareness revisited

Post by Saengnapha »

ToVincent wrote: Sun Oct 01, 2017 6:30 pm
Saengnapha wrote: Sun Oct 01, 2017 4:19 pm It's very difficult to follow your argument. Maybe you can cut and paste specifically, where the Buddha says to be judgemental. Perhaps you are interpreting judgemental in a way that it is not meant?
Merriam-Webster (since 1828) wrote: Judgmental:
- of, relating to, or involving judgment.
Judgment:
- the process of forming an opinion or evaluation by discerning and comparing.
The basic fraud today is to say that mindfulness should be a non judgmental awareness, about any experience.
I have just given you a link above, not only to the sutta, but to the exact extracts, in which the Buddha says that one should be mindful AND judgmental. But let me resume the gist of it.

Mindful like a gatekeeper, that is discerning (being judgmental) between what to let in, or out.
The gatekeeper posted there would be wise, competent, and intelligent; one who keeps out strangers and admits acquaintances.
......
‘The gatekeeper’: this is a designation for mindfulness.
SN 35.245
If you don't understand simile; then there is nothing much I can do.
People who do understand simile, will easily understand what is meant there. Viz. that one should not let everything in.
Period.
It is either the language that you are using to explain some of these terms, or we have a basic difference in our experiential understanding of what mindfulness is all about. That gatekeeper seems to be some kind of dualistic remnant of the discursive mind who has dreamed up what is good and bad the way you are explaining it. Is awareness itself judgemental? Is equanimity a judgemental activity? Is mindfulness equal to equanimity or is it a precursor for it?
ToVincent
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Re: Mindfulness as non-judgmental awareness revisited

Post by ToVincent »

Spiny Norman wrote: Mon Oct 02, 2017 8:22 am I think though what is being discussed here is a particular approach to practice, including "bare attention".

Also "judgemental" can sound pejorative, so personally I prefer "discernment".
There are so many straightforward things to do (in the suttas), to arrive at an undefiled, liberated citta - the condition sine qua non for a proper perception.
Why should we navigate into that "bare awareness", gilded the lily ambiguity.

Anyway, if "bare awareness" there is; it is certainly not at "bare level" of meditation.

And if "awareness" means "discernment" (paññā) to you; then where in scheol do we find in the suttas/sutras, a passage where the Buddha speaks about "non-judgemental pañña).

This is just another unecessary added mess.
And I marvel on the "unfeigned" intention (and necessity,) behind all this.
In this world, there are many people acting and yearning for the Mara's world; some for the Brahma's world; and very few for the Unborn.
ToVincent
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Joined: Tue Aug 30, 2016 6:02 pm

Re: Mindfulness as non-judgmental awareness revisited

Post by ToVincent »

Saengnapha wrote: Mon Oct 02, 2017 10:56 am Is mindfulness equal to equanimity or is it a precursor for it?
Absolutely.
A precursor; and an ever-going activity, until the citta is definitely liberated.
In this world, there are many people acting and yearning for the Mara's world; some for the Brahma's world; and very few for the Unborn.
Spiny Norman
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Location: Andromeda looks nice

Re: Mindfulness as non-judgmental awareness revisited

Post by Spiny Norman »

ToVincent wrote: Mon Oct 02, 2017 12:02 pm
Spiny Norman wrote: Mon Oct 02, 2017 8:22 am I think though what is being discussed here is a particular approach to practice, including "bare attention".

Also "judgemental" can sound pejorative, so personally I prefer "discernment".
There are so many straightforward things to do (in the suttas), to arrive at an undefiled, liberated citta - the condition sine qua non for a proper perception. Why should we navigate into that "bare awareness", gilded the lily ambiguity.
Here is a straightforward thing to do:

"Then, Bāhiya, you should train yourself thus: In reference to the seen, there will be only the seen. In reference to the heard, only the heard. In reference to the sensed, only the sensed. In reference to the cognized, only the cognized. That is how you should train yourself. When for you there will be only the seen in reference to the seen, only the heard in reference to the heard, only the sensed in reference to the sensed, only the cognized in reference to the cognized, then, Bāhiya, there is no you in connection with that. When there is no you in connection with that, there is no you there. When there is no you there, you are neither here nor yonder nor between the two. This, just this, is the end of stress."
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .than.html

I'm not sure how to respond to the rest of your comments which mostly seem like :strawman: and not much to do with the previous discussion, or indeed what I have actually said.
Buddha save me from new-agers!
Saengnapha
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Re: Mindfulness as non-judgmental awareness revisited

Post by Saengnapha »

ToVincent wrote: Mon Oct 02, 2017 12:04 pm
Saengnapha wrote: Mon Oct 02, 2017 10:56 am Is mindfulness equal to equanimity or is it a precursor for it?
Absolutely.
A precursor; and an ever-going activity, until the citta is definitely liberated.
This is your actual experience or something that you believe will happen? This is just an intellectual fabrication on your part, but I understand why you want to believe it. It only perpetuates the unsatisfactoriness of your state. Citta needs no liberating. This is the deception, the fraudulent thinking, the fraudulent perception, your fraudulent existence creating a narration which is only a fabrication in name and form.

Sorry to be so contrary to your beliefs, it's not how I see things.
ToVincent
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Re: Mindfulness as non-judgmental awareness revisited

Post by ToVincent »

Spiny Norman wrote: Mon Oct 02, 2017 12:12 pmI'm not sure how to respond to the rest of your comments which mostly seem like :strawman: and not much to do with the previous discussion, or indeed what I have actually said.
Sure!

I am not a strawman. I don't see why I should be. I am not responsible of what you are doing. It's your kamma; not mine. I won't be judgmental on what you think or do. Just having a fellow feeling.
However, some things have to be reinstated, so some people can really understand what echt (early) Buddhism is all about. And discern the original message, from the later added dubious nonsense.

I am therefore glad that you mentioned the Bāhiya sutta (ud.1.10); to which I prefer the Māluṅkyaputta sutta (Māluṅkyaputta SN 35.95 and its // SA 312) - in which the terms are identical.
English: https://suttacentral.net/en/sn35.95/8-9
Pali: https://suttacentral.net/pi/sn35.95/10

And, moreover, with a quite reliable parallel in the Āgama; in which [for what I can discern from my very poor knowledge of Chinese,] there is far more emphasis on the "judgmental". It is all about not having the citta defiled by letting wrong things in. Being always mindful of not letting wrong things in, etc. (much more in line with the way the Buddha defines mindfulness in SN 35.245 - https://suttacentral.net/en/sn35.245/14-15).

And all this being judgmental in SA, comes before Buddha's utters his remark in both the sutta and the sutra:
You will not be ‘by that.’
When, Maluṅkyaputta, you are not ‘by that,’ then you will not be ‘in that.’
When, Maluṅkyaputta, you are not in that,’ then you will be neither here nor there, nor in between the two.
tato tvaṃ, mālukyaputta, na tena.
Yato tvaṃ, mālukyaputta, na tena; tato tvaṃ, mālukyaputta, na tattha.
Yato tvaṃ, mālukyaputta, na tattha; tato tvaṃ, mālukyaputta, nevidha, na huraṃ, na ubhayamantarena.
SN 35.95
The "by that" and the "in that", is the universal concept in philosophy about the "Being" of things.
Aristotle has talked about that lengthily in his "Categories".
In our (Buddhist) case, the "being" is one of the four categories of being, viz. an "accidental*" universal". A "said-of" ("by that") and "present-in" ("in that").
"Said-of" nāmarūpa & "present-in" saḷāyatana (more particularly, in satta).
*(Accidental = non-substantial)
Asmi, the "am" in "I am" (aham asmi), is "said-of" the khandhas (that are not ours) >> ["by that]; yet "present-in" the living being (satta) as clinging-kandhas >> ["in-that"].

Transcending that, is being neither there (in the khandhas), nor being here, (that is to say appropriating the khandhas (aka clinging khandhas)).

To put it simply:
"In reference to the seen, there will be only the seen", just means that what is seen should not be considered as "yours".
Neither "I am this", nor "this is mine".
It does not mean (as some believe,) that you should let "the seen" in; "non-judgmentally".
Where, in the suttas/sutras is the rationale of the latter?

How could this be "non-judgmental"?
And what "non-judgmental" has to do with it, anyway? (bloody problem).
What "judgmental" or "non-judgmental", has to do with realizing that the khandhas are not yours?
The only "judgment" in all this, is to say: "I am not this, and this is not mine".
We should not even have to talk about this "non-judgmental" buncombe, coming out of nowhere - whatever that could probably mean. Another free ticket to ride on the nonsense merry-go-round.
What would be "non-judgmental" in this case, anyway?
Saying that: "I am this, and this is mine"; when talking about the khandhas? - Letting them in with no restraint of the indriyani?
That's ludicrous! - This is just sheer nonsense.

Restraining the indriya ("keeping guard over the doors of the powers (faculties) > Indriyesu guttadvārā"), can't eradicate them totally.
In AN 6.55, (https://justpaste.it/194u1), Buddha states that nonetheless, they can be brought to their plain, flat, regular, viz. "normal" level.
Again, this is what is meant by "in the seen, only the seen".
That is to say, looking at something, knowing that it is not "yours" - and restraining the indriyani; so that the effect of these indriyani on the āyatanani, will not trigger sensory experiences that could make you crave and cling.

You just have to look at something as not "yours" (not "by that") - knowing that your ignorance have you making it "yours" ("in that").
The transcendence, is first to realize that you are, in reality, neither not "by that" (said-of/"by that"), "nor not "in that" ("present-in"/"in that").
For instance, you have first to realize that you are neither "in form", nor "apart from" form.
https://suttacentral.net/en/sn22.85/11
https://suttacentral.net/en/sa104/23-28

However, you have also to realize that this form, that you are experiencing there & here, is "not yours". So you can transcend that non-substantial (accidental) being of yours.

Like the Tathāgata (तथागत) - lit. the "that has become in such a state" - becoming the Buddha.

Our reality is, that we are (viz. our asmi/being is) both in the external and the internal.
And we must transcend that, knowing that it is not "ours".
Neither what is external (khandhas - see SN 22.33 https://suttacentral.net/en/sn22.33/1.138- & SN 22.59 https://suttacentral.net/en/sn22.59/7-8 ), nor what is internal (āyatanas - see https://suttacentral.net/en/sn35.138/1.128-) is "ours"
And particularly, what is meant by the (Bāhiya/Māluṅkyaputta) suttas, is that the khandhas are not "ours".

---

"Non-judgmental" means absolutely nothing in the Teaching.
Just an added dubious nonsense.
Again.

P.S.

Then SN 35.87 becomes more meaningful:

Therefore, friend Channa, this teaching of the Blessed One is to be constantly striven after with the mano:
"For one who is clinging, there is the wish to act; for one who is not clinging, there is no wish to act. When there is no wish to act, there is tranquility (confidence); when there is tranquility, there is turning away; when there is turning away, there is no obtaining & non-obtaining; when there is no obtaining & non-obtaining, there is no removing from (namarūpa), and coming forth (in satta) [as in appropriating form, feeling, etc.]; when there is no removing from (namarūpa), and coming forth (in satta), there is neither here, nor there, nor in between the two."

Tasmātiha, āvuso channa, idampi tassa bhagavato sāsanaṃ niccakappaṃ sādhukaṃ manasi kātabbaṃ:
"Nissitassa calitaṃ, anissitassa calitaṃ natthi. Calite asati passaddhi hoti. Passaddhiyā sati nati na hoti. Natiyā asati āgatigati na hoti. Āgatigatiyā asati cutūpapāto na hoti. Cutūpapāte asati nevidha na huraṃ na ubhayamantarena."

Also, may I add this:
I am not a Pudgalavadin, but the above has quite the flavor of what the Pudgalavadins were thinking about.
It shows that there is some similarity with the Theravadin Teaching. At least, strictly on the issue of "by that" and "in that".
What the pudgalavadins are saying is that, beyond the mere "world," as defined by Buddha, the pudgala is neither the aggregates, nor is it different from them. Pudgala kind of transcends that.

On one hand, if I am identical to the aggregates, then I should be annihilated; because the khandhas are intrinsically impermanent (anicca), says the pudgalavadin.
On the other hand, if I am different from the aggregates, then I should be eternal.

For the pudgalavadins, the pudgala/puggala (person, individual / kind of satta) transcends this.

In this world, there are many people acting and yearning for the Mara's world; some for the Brahma's world; and very few for the Unborn.
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