What does a heedful practitioner look like?

[Tomás ESP]

I read Jundo's post on Being mindful of "mindful" (https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...ful-of-mindful).

And I thought it would be very interesting to reflect on a specific sutta of the Pali Canon in which the Buddha describes what a heedless and a heedful practitioner would look like in regards to mindfulness of death. In it, the Buddha seems to suggest that one should pay attention to every single moment, because death could be waiting at any corner. In fact, wasn't this the goal of the Sangha? To not have a job, responsibilities, etc. to be able to dedicate oneself fully to the development of a continuous awareness of the present moment? (I do not mean by this that one can't think of the past or the future, but if doing so, they do it mindfully). Is multitasking while losing awareness of what the are doing really compatible with awakening?

Here is the sutta: https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipi....019.than.html

Sorry for going long

Gassho, Tomás
Sat

[Jundo]

Hi Tomas,

Maybe I might read the Sutta a bit differently than you. I don't feel that the Buddha meant that we should be walking around constantly thinking "I could die right now, I could die right now, etc. etc."

But one can develop an ever present awareness and respect for the preciousness of life and the possibility of its passing at any time ... and that awareness can be in the bones as a kind of wisdom, always present whether voiced or unvoiced. No need to constantly focus on it in order for us to be constantly mindful and aware of this passing moment and the next.

As well, why can't one be heedful of the ephemerality of life when doing one task, but also heedful of the ephemerality of life when sometimes needing to multi-task?

Old Sutta teachings are sometimes of a different approach and flavor than Zen teachings, but this old Sutta seems very compatible.

Gassho, J

STLah

Sorry to run long

[Bion]

I feel like the idea of this constant mindfulness is extremely emphasized in communities like that of Thich Nhat Hanh, to extremes that make it impossible to practice it on a regular basis. Also, this is but one kind of mindfulness the Buddha said we should develop and one practice among many he encouraged, so if we were to take each one as a single instruction, we could never really practice anything else. But it made me think of a quote I cherish that has tremendous importance in our Zen way: “life and death are of supreme importance. Time quickly passes by and opportunity is lost. Take heed, do not squander your life.” That, I’d say, embodies the Buddha’s teaching in this sutra.

Sat Today

[Tomás ESP]

That is very helpful Jundo, I totally agree. And yes Bion, it is extremely emphasized in many communities. Another interesting example is the Tibetan practice of the Yogas of sleep, in which you try to be fully aware of the whole process of falling asleep and of being awake during the dreaming state. Quite fascinating, but I wouldn't mess around with sleep states as a lay practitioner.

A very short article on the benefits of distraction: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeands...s%20attention.

Gassho, Tomás
Sat&LaH

[Rich]

This moment of life is a special opportunity to practice awareness and see the beauty, joy and love all around and inside us. To live in dreams and deluded views is not helpful for anyone.



Sat/lah


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[Bion]

This moment of life is a special opportunity to practice awareness and see the beauty, joy and love all around and inside us. To live in dreams and deluded views is not helpful for anyone.



Sat/lah


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Also see evil, ugly, hate, understand how they come to be, the way they arise from just slightly different conditions than their counterparts and then learn how to put it all in the same bowl and make a salad. It’s all a dream and delusion, not just that which we dislike..

Sat Today

[Koushi]

Also see evil, ugly, hate, understand how they come to be, the way they arise from just slightly different conditions than their counterparts and then learn how to put it all in the same bowl and make a salad.

Sounds like a spicy salad

Gassho,
Koushi
STLaH

[Bion]

Sounds like a spicy salad

Gassho,
Koushi
STLaH

Good soup!

Sat Today

[Rich]

It’s all a dream and delusion, not just that which we dislike..

Sat Today

Whatever it is, may it fill you with peace, joy and ease


Sat/lah


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[Rich]

Is multitasking while losing awareness of what the are doing really compatible with awakening?

Here is the sutta: https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipi....019.than.html

Sorry for going long

Gassho, Tomás
Sat

The patriarch from China named Linji said and taught don’t do anything. He didn’t mean never do anything physical or never think. He meant to just be aware. Then doing is just doing and thinking is just thinking.

Sat/lah


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