Q&A - PERIPHERAL AWARENESS - by Ajahn Nyanamoli Thero, Hillside Hermitage, Sri Lanka

Summary

The transcript discusses the practice of mindfulness, emphasizing the importance of being aware of both foreground and background elements of experience. It explains how mindfulness is not about focusing solely on one sensation or thought, but rather developing peripheral awareness of the broader experience. Through repeated practice, individuals can cultivate wisdom and composure. The script also highlights how mindfulness naturally leads to knowledge, understanding, and wisdom by recognizing the simultaneous presence of foreground and background in all experiences. The essence of the practice is to learn to attend to both without becoming overly absorbed in one, which ultimately results in a deeper awareness of self and actions.

Takeaways

• 😀 Mindfulness begins with awareness of your experience as a whole, not just focusing on individual sensations or feelings.
• 😀 The goal of mindfulness is to discern the general experience of the present moment, rather than isolating specific elements.
• 😀 Foreground is what you focus on at a given time, while the background represents everything else that is not actively attended to.
• 😀 Developing mindfulness requires indirect awareness of the background, avoiding the trap of making it a new foreground.
• 😀 The Buddha’s concept of 'yonī-ṣamādhi' teaches that mindfulness involves understanding the background of your experience without directly focusing on it.
• 😀 Mindfulness and Samadhi can be anchored through body postures, which provide a stable reference point for awareness.
• 😀 Achieving mindfulness involves repetition and practice, learning to attend to both foreground and background simultaneously.
• 😀 By taking responsibility for your actions and choices, you naturally become mindful of the broader consequences and context of your experiences.
• 😀 Foreground and background are interdependent: focusing on one excludes others, but both must be understood in balance for true mindfulness.
• 😀 The ultimate goal of mindfulness is to cultivate wisdom by allowing you to experience the present moment without overthinking or grasping.
• 😀 Mindfulness demonstrates that the concept of 'self' is redundant in the experience of attention and intention; everything functions naturally without a personal agent.

Q & A

What is the main idea behind being mindful of the experience as a whole?

The main idea is to be aware of your overall experience without focusing on one particular sensation or feeling. It involves seeing your entire situation as a whole, rather than absorbing yourself in just one aspect of it.

Why is it important not to focus solely on the foreground during mindfulness practice?

Focusing only on the foreground can lead to ignoring the background, which is essential for a complete experience. The background represents the context or foundation of your experience, and being mindful of it prevents you from becoming overly absorbed in a singular focus.

What is the concept of 'yonisamanasikara' and how does it relate to mindfulness?

'Yonisamanasikara' refers to proper attention, where you are aware of both the foreground and its background. It helps in maintaining an awareness of the context or the 'womb' of the foreground without making it an object of direct focus.

How can we develop peripheral vision in mindfulness practice?

Developing peripheral vision in mindfulness means becoming aware of the background while engaging with the foreground, without shifting focus. This can be achieved through practice, learning not to overly attend to the foreground and recognizing the simultaneous presence of the background.

What role do body postures play in mindfulness?

Body postures act as anchors or reference points for mindfulness. They provide a constant background that can help you remain grounded and aware of the present moment, which aids in the development of mindfulness and Samadhi.

How does mindfulness lead to wisdom?

Mindfulness leads to wisdom because it fosters awareness without overthinking or overanalyzing. As you practice mindfulness correctly, you naturally gain knowledge, which becomes accessible when needed, ultimately leading to wisdom.

What is the relationship between foreground and background in mindfulness?

The foreground is what you directly attend to, while the background is everything else you're not actively focusing on. These two are inseparable, as the background shapes the foreground and vice versa. Developing mindfulness means seeing both simultaneously.

Why is understanding the principle of mindfulness crucial for its practice?

Understanding the principle of mindfulness is essential because it allows you to practice effectively. Knowing that mindfulness is not about focusing on a perfect object but learning how to attend and recognize both foreground and background is key to its success.

How does accepting responsibility relate to mindfulness?

Accepting responsibility helps in establishing mindfulness because it anchors your experience in a sense of personal accountability. By recognizing your choices and actions as your responsibility, you develop a more consistent awareness of your actions and intentions.

What is the difference between mindfulness and the absorption of attention?

Mindfulness involves an indirect awareness of both foreground and background, while absorption focuses solely on a single point, often ignoring the broader context. Mindfulness keeps the broader perspective in view, ensuring balanced attention and awareness.