DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate - View Single Post - Foundation of mindfulness / Object of meditation

**dianakroshXX** · 06-15-2012, 10:09 PM

Thank you all for your generous and thoughtful replies. Here is a little more context to my question. As an antidote to my habitual mental restlessness and hyperactive intellectualization, I have developed the practice of trying to watch my thoughts arise and pass away, just like any other sensation. At a more subtle level, I could observe a “thought sensation” arise and pass away before it turned into a fully formed thought. Is this the proper understanding of mind (or consciousness) as a foundation of mindfulness?

I intersperse this with following the breath etc., depending on what is the dominant sensation. In this case, “mind” feels like a specific object. Maybe “mind” as I am using it is a specific object within the broad category of “mind” as a foundation.

Hello Fat Daddy

Just to offer a different angle in reply. There isn't a mind. The idea of a mind is itself a mind-object (formation) because we are thinking of an object with properties which we call mind. So to answer your question, there is no difference between trying to take the mind as foundation or the mind as an object because (as you seem to be aware) we are just re-moulding an idea (formation).

Oliver.

Good point. I may be overthinking it but I am trying to uderstand the intent of the Sutta as it applies to my practice.

06-15-2012, 10:09 PM	#5
dianakroshXX Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 468 Senior Member	Thank you all for your generous and thoughtful replies. Here is a little more context to my question. As an antidote to my habitual mental restlessness and hyperactive intellectualization, I have developed the practice of trying to watch my thoughts arise and pass away, just like any other sensation. At a more subtle level, I could observe a “thought sensation” arise and pass away before it turned into a fully formed thought. Is this the proper understanding of mind (or consciousness) as a foundation of mindfulness? I intersperse this with following the breath etc., depending on what is the dominant sensation. In this case, “mind” feels like a specific object. Maybe “mind” as I am using it is a specific object within the broad category of “mind” as a foundation. Hello Fat Daddy Just to offer a different angle in reply. There isn't a mind. The idea of a mind is itself a mind-object (formation) because we are thinking of an object with properties which we call mind. So to answer your question, there is no difference between trying to take the mind as foundation or the mind as an object because (as you seem to be aware) we are just re-moulding an idea (formation). Oliver. Good point. I may be overthinking it but I am trying to uderstand the intent of the Sutta as it applies to my practice.
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