The Buddha’s mindfulness has one purpose—the end of suffering. Do secular
programs do the same thing? By Phillip Moffitt MAY 24, 2016
programs do the same thing? By Phillip Moffitt MAY 24, 2016
As secular mindfulness continues to expand into many layers of our society,
from psychotherapy offices and schools to corporations and the military,
I welcome its spread. Regardless of the context in which it is learned,
mindfulness reduces suffering when practiced diligently and ethically.
from psychotherapy offices and schools to corporations and the military,
I welcome its spread. Regardless of the context in which it is learned,
mindfulness reduces suffering when practiced diligently and ethically.
Moreover, applying mindfulness to daily life situations is a fundamental
dharma teaching. So I experience mudita [sympathetic joy] when I see that
mindfulness has become available to many more people.
dharma teaching. So I experience mudita [sympathetic joy] when I see that
mindfulness has become available to many more people.
But do secular programs teach the same mindfulness that the Buddha offered?
Programs vary widely, of course. Some have a firm foundation in the Buddha’s
teachings while others make no reference to Buddhism in order to strip it of its
spiritual context. Exploring this question naturally leads to another: what is the
mindfulness of the Buddha?
Programs vary widely, of course. Some have a firm foundation in the Buddha’s
teachings while others make no reference to Buddhism in order to strip it of its
spiritual context. Exploring this question naturally leads to another: what is the
mindfulness of the Buddha?
The Buddha taught that mental suffering arises out of ignorance. By “ignorance”
he meant the mind’s misunderstanding of the nature of reality, both mental and
physical. For example, a practitioner may have profound insights into the four
noble truths (which outline the path to freedom); the three characteristics of
existence (impermanence, the existence of suffering, and the absence of a
permanent self); or the seven factors of awakening (qualities such as
investigation, energy, and equanimity which support realization). Through
vipassana practice we have insights about the implications of the constancy of
change, the true nature of reality and self, and the empty radiant nature of
mind when it is not clouded by desire and aversion.
he meant the mind’s misunderstanding of the nature of reality, both mental and
physical. For example, a practitioner may have profound insights into the four
noble truths (which outline the path to freedom); the three characteristics of
existence (impermanence, the existence of suffering, and the absence of a
permanent self); or the seven factors of awakening (qualities such as
investigation, energy, and equanimity which support realization). Through
vipassana practice we have insights about the implications of the constancy of
change, the true nature of reality and self, and the empty radiant nature of
mind when it is not clouded by desire and aversion.
But to what end are we cultivating these critical realizations through insight?
In order to be able to choose nonsuffering rather than suffering—to be able
to think, speak, and act in such a manner that does not cause suffering for
ourselves or others. Ultimately these realizations bring about a “change in
lineage” so complete that the very roots of desire, aversion, and delusion are
removed, which is one definition of nibbana.
In order to be able to choose nonsuffering rather than suffering—to be able
to think, speak, and act in such a manner that does not cause suffering for
ourselves or others. Ultimately these realizations bring about a “change in
lineage” so complete that the very roots of desire, aversion, and delusion are
removed, which is one definition of nibbana.
One of the main tools the Buddha taught for developing insight is mindfulness,
the ability to be fully aware in the moment. Other meditative tools he taught
include directing attention, achieving deep concentration states, and cultivating
the four divine abidings of lovingkindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and
equanimity.
the ability to be fully aware in the moment. Other meditative tools he taught
include directing attention, achieving deep concentration states, and cultivating
the four divine abidings of lovingkindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and
equanimity.
He also taught nonmeditative practices he considered essential, such as sila
[ethical behavior], dana [generosity], and nekkhamma [renunciation]. Each
of these tools plays a critical role in developing insight and allowing you to
stay on the noble eightfold path to full understanding, as described in the
four noble truths.
[ethical behavior], dana [generosity], and nekkhamma [renunciation]. Each
of these tools plays a critical role in developing insight and allowing you to
stay on the noble eightfold path to full understanding, as described in the
four noble truths.
Mindfulness practice [sati] as a skillful means enables us to go beneath the
surface level of our moment-to-moment life experiences, which are clouded
with emotions and habitual thinking, and allows us to see the truth of what
is happening. In daily life, mindfulness helps us see clearly what needs to be
done, what we are capable of doing, and how that relates to the larger truths.
Obviously, it isn’t easy being mindful in such a manner, but we can develop
mindfulness through the practice of formal meditation practice and by
practicing “walking around” mindfulness.
surface level of our moment-to-moment life experiences, which are clouded
with emotions and habitual thinking, and allows us to see the truth of what
is happening. In daily life, mindfulness helps us see clearly what needs to be
done, what we are capable of doing, and how that relates to the larger truths.
Obviously, it isn’t easy being mindful in such a manner, but we can develop
mindfulness through the practice of formal meditation practice and by
practicing “walking around” mindfulness.
What most distinguishes the mindfulness of the Buddha from secular
mindfulness is that he does not teach it as a standalone skill. Rather, it is
a part of the eightfold path that leads to the realization of the four noble truths
and theend of mental suffering. The Pali phrase for the Buddha’s mindfulness is
samma sati, which translates as “wise mindfulness.” Samma sati is one of three
parts in the samadhi [concentration] section of the eightfold path, along with
wise concentration and wise effort. It is employed in the development of both of
these factors, and both of these factors enhance mindfulness. Likewise in the
panna [wisdom] section, wise understanding and wise intention need
mindfulness and are needed for mindfulness practice to flourish in daily life.
Wise understanding fuels the aspiration for liberating the mind from the
grasping and clinging that cause mental suffering.
mindfulness is that he does not teach it as a standalone skill. Rather, it is
a part of the eightfold path that leads to the realization of the four noble truths
and theend of mental suffering. The Pali phrase for the Buddha’s mindfulness is
samma sati, which translates as “wise mindfulness.” Samma sati is one of three
parts in the samadhi [concentration] section of the eightfold path, along with
wise concentration and wise effort. It is employed in the development of both of
these factors, and both of these factors enhance mindfulness. Likewise in the
panna [wisdom] section, wise understanding and wise intention need
mindfulness and are needed for mindfulness practice to flourish in daily life.
Wise understanding fuels the aspiration for liberating the mind from the
grasping and clinging that cause mental suffering.
Mindfulness supports the moment-to-moment intention to not cause harm, to
be kind, and to renounce those thoughts and actions that lead to heedlessness.
Without wise intention and wise understanding, mindfulness is aimless, and
therefore not the Buddha’s mindfulness.
be kind, and to renounce those thoughts and actions that lead to heedlessness.
Without wise intention and wise understanding, mindfulness is aimless, and
therefore not the Buddha’s mindfulness.
Finally, in the third section of the eightfold path, the Buddha instructs us on
applying mindfulness to our work and personal lives through wise speech,
wise action, and wise livelihood. These teachings also reflect a particular kind of
mindfulness, one that is wise, nonharming, and forward leading. This is the
mindfulness taught by the Buddha.
applying mindfulness to our work and personal lives through wise speech,
wise action, and wise livelihood. These teachings also reflect a particular kind of
mindfulness, one that is wise, nonharming, and forward leading. This is the
mindfulness taught by the Buddha.
Mindfulness as a standalone practice may well lack the ethical and aspirational
qualities of samma sati. Although the commentaries say that mindfulness is
always a wholesome factor of mind, this refers to the samma sati of the
eightfold Path. As the esteemed scholar and translator Analayo Bhikkhu points
out in his book on the Satipatthana Sutta, there are times when the Buddha
refers to “wrong” mindfulness. In other words, we can learn to be mindful, but
to what end? For instance, when we are more mindful, we are more likely to see
how to gain advantage and opportunity in regard to others. But is this the
mindfulness of the Buddha? I certainly don’t think so.
qualities of samma sati. Although the commentaries say that mindfulness is
always a wholesome factor of mind, this refers to the samma sati of the
eightfold Path. As the esteemed scholar and translator Analayo Bhikkhu points
out in his book on the Satipatthana Sutta, there are times when the Buddha
refers to “wrong” mindfulness. In other words, we can learn to be mindful, but
to what end? For instance, when we are more mindful, we are more likely to see
how to gain advantage and opportunity in regard to others. But is this the
mindfulness of the Buddha? I certainly don’t think so.
Regardless of the circumstances under which it is taught and by whom,
mindfulness is wholesome when it comes from an ethical base and helps
people to be more present, have less stress, and experience fewer negative
thoughts. But in my view, it is not samma sati without grounding in the
Buddha’s teachings on the nature of mind and skillful means, and the aspiration
to choose non-suffering rather than suffering.
mindfulness is wholesome when it comes from an ethical base and helps
people to be more present, have less stress, and experience fewer negative
thoughts. But in my view, it is not samma sati without grounding in the
Buddha’s teachings on the nature of mind and skillful means, and the aspiration
to choose non-suffering rather than suffering.
The Buddha’s mindfulness has one purpose—the end of suffering. Mindfulness
encompasses all of life in order to purify the mind and bring wisdom, love, and
equanimity to the center of our lives. When these qualities and goals are clearly
present, we are in the presence of the Buddha’s great gift of mindfulness. Each
of us is fortunate that these teachings are so widely available in our lifetimes
and that we have the interest and the time to allow them to liberate our minds
and awaken our hearts.
encompasses all of life in order to purify the mind and bring wisdom, love, and
equanimity to the center of our lives. When these qualities and goals are clearly
present, we are in the presence of the Buddha’s great gift of mindfulness. Each
of us is fortunate that these teachings are so widely available in our lifetimes
and that we have the interest and the time to allow them to liberate our minds
and awaken our hearts.
is co-guiding teacher at Spirit Rock Meditation Center and the founder of Life
Balance Institute. He is the author of Dancing with Life: Buddhist Insights for Finding Meaning
and Joy in the Face of Suffering and Emotional Chaos to Clarity: How to Live More Skillfully,
Make Better Decisions, and Find Purpose in Life.
Balance Institute. He is the author of Dancing with Life: Buddhist Insights for Finding Meaning
and Joy in the Face of Suffering and Emotional Chaos to Clarity: How to Live More Skillfully,
Make Better Decisions, and Find Purpose in Life.
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