The Noble Eight fold Path

(The Fourth Noble Truth :  Magga : The Path)

7. Right Mindfulness

Buddha said ‘ O monks, I know of no other single thing that brings such great loss a heedlessness. I know of no other single thing that brings such great profits as heedfulness. Heedfulness , verily, brings great profits.

Meditation is fulfilled by the conjunction of the three factors of the Path v; Right Effort, Right Mindfulness & Right Concentration. Mindfulness , plays an important role in the acquisition of both calm and insight.  Now this right Mindfulness should be applied to each and everything one does. In all our movements, one is expected to be mindful, whether we walk, stand, or sit, whether we speak, keep silent, eat drink or answer the call of nature – in all these and in all other activities, we should be mindful and wide awake.

Right Mindfulness is a mental factor, that sharpens the power of observation and assist right thinking and understanding. The five senses used by the conscious mind as instruments, provide food for thought. The suitability or not of the food we take , depends on our mindfulness.

Unwholesome thoughts interfere with concentration and the function of Right Effort , is to put aside such thoughts and promote and maintain healthy ones: but this is not possible , if we lack Mindfulness or constant watchfulness. Right Effort & Right Mindfulness go arm in arm , to check the arising of Evil thoughts and to develop & promote good thoughts.

Right mindfulness is cultivated through a practice called "the four foundations of mindfulness" , the mindful contemplation of four objective spheres: the body, feelings, states of mind, and mind objects.

The contemplation of the body makes us realize its true nature, without any pretence, by analyzing it right down to its ultimates, into its fundamental elements. This mental scrutiny of our own bodies helps us to realize , what kind of a phenomenon the human body is , to realize , that it is a process without any underlying substance or core that may be taken as permanent and lasting. This is done by the breathing exercises – in-breathing and out breathing consciously and with awareness.

In the contemplation of feelings- one is expected to analyse ones feelings or sensations.

The contemplation of Mind , tells us the importance of studying our own mind, of becoming aware of our diverse thoughts .

The contemplation of Mind objects  is divided into five sub-sections, each devoted to a different set of phenomena: the five hindrances, the five aggregates, the six inner and outer sense bases, the seven factors of enlightenment, and the Four Noble Truths. Among these, the five hindrances and the seven enlightenment factors are dhamma in the narrower sense of mental factors.

The five hindrances and seven factors of enlightenment require special attention because they are the principal impediments and aids to liberation. The hindrances -- sensual desire, ill will, dullness and drowsiness, restlessness and worry, and doubt -- generally become manifest in an early stage of practice, soon after the initial expectations and gross disturbances subside and the subtle tendencies find the opportunity to surface. Whenever one of the hindrances crops up, its presence should be noted; then, when it fades away, a note should be made of its disappearance. To ensure that the hindrances are kept under control an element of comprehension is needed: we have to understand how the hindrances arise, how they can be removed, and how they can be prevented from arising in the future.

A similar mode of contemplation is to be applied to the seven factors of enlightenment: mindfulness, investigation, energy, rapture, tranquillity, concentration, and equanimity. When any one of these factors arises, its presence should be noted. Then, after noting its presence, one has to investigate to discover how it arises and how it can be matured. When they first spring up, the enlightenment factors are weak, but with consistent cultivation they accumulate strength. Mindfulness initiates the contemplative process. When it becomes well-established, it arouses investigation, the probing quality of intelligence. Investigation in turn calls forth energy, energy gives rise to rapture, rapture leads to tranquillity, tranquillity to one-pointed concentration, and concentration to equanimity. Thus the whole evolving course of practice leading to enlightenment begins with mindfulness, which remains throughout as the regulating power ensuring that the mind is clear, cognizant, and balanced.