When is it okay to think?
score:4
"In the original Mindfulness Sutra, The Buddha described what he called the Four Foundations of Mindfulness. These teachings remind us to be aware of our bodies; aware of our feelings and emotions; aware of our thoughts; and aware of events, as they occur, moment by moment." Lama Surya Das, Awakening the Buddha From Within, pg 301-302. (Italics are mine.)
Obviously, mindfulness does not mean that we should not think, rather that we do not dwell on the past, and stay in the present moment. If the present moment means that you need to think about future plans, that is acceptable. Just realize that those future plans are not set in stone, are subject to change, and will be in the present moment when they are implemented in the future.
As for meditation, it sounds like you are describing Samatha, or Calm Abiding Meditation. This does indeed call for training the mind to not have as many conceptual thoughts during the meditation. If one arises, we are aware, and dismiss the thought by returning to the object of focus, such as mindful breathing. The following link may be of assistance to you.
Upvote:1
The term "mindfulness" (sati) does not mean 'non-thinking'. It means to 'remember' or 'keep in mind' (the factors of the eightfold path).
Mindfulness does not exclusively apply to the (non-judgmental) observation practise in the 7th factor of the eightfold path.
If right thinking (2nd factor of eightfold path) is practised, this is also an application of right mindfulness in Buddhism.
A (complex) quote below about how right mindfulness also applies to right thinking:
And what is the right resolve (thought) that is noble, without effluents, transcendent, a factor of the path? The thinking, directed thinking, resolve, mental fixity, mental transfixion, focused awareness & verbal fabricators in one developing the noble path whose mind is noble, whose mind is without effluents, who is fully possessed of the noble path. This is the right resolve that is noble, without effluents, transcendent, a factor of the path.
One makes an effort for the abandoning of wrong resolve & for entering right resolve: This is one's right effort. One is mindful to abandon wrong resolve & to enter & remain in right resolve (thought): This is one's right mindfulness. Thus these three qualities β right view, right effort & right mindfulness β run & circle around right resolve.
Upvote:2
We all know what thinking is. I would like to add this instruction on mindfulness by Bhikkhu Bohdi on an online lecture.
Mindfulness "functions in an atmosphere of detachment...[and] aspires toward a pure objectivity, an awareness which reflects the nature of objects exactly as they are as, without adding to them, without elaborating on them, without interpreting them through screens of subjective evaluation and commenting."
More post
- π Be like water - but what if i fail
- π What's the effect of living on alms (social services) and not doing duties, being unrestrained?
- π Is change permanent?
- π What are the resources a Buddhist can use during very hard times?
- π Do flying monks described in Buddhist texts contradict with physics?
- π What is the starting of Samsara?
- π What is The eighth jhana and how can i practice it?
- π Transferring merit to someone living who isnt open minded to receiving it
- π Why is dukkha bad?
- π What are your thoughts on Ajahn Maha Bua?
- π What is the origin or history of the concept of 'Buddha Sasana"?
- π The purpose of associating with the wise
- π Cause and End of Suffering vs the Four Noble truths
- π What were the conditions laid down by Ananda when asked to be Buddhas personal attendant?
- π Explain consciousness (viΓ±Γ±Δna) to non-Buddhists
- π AN 4.233 what exactly is the relation between kamma, saαΉ khΔrΔ?
- π Is understanding a "bring-debt" or "gain-debt"?
- π How to avoid subtle biases and inclinations to influence phenomena when doing vipassana?
- π What are the views considered "false convictions", and why are they false?
- π Resolving right action & intention in a white lie
- π Electric blood, electric breathe, electric ball and one beam
- π Is owning a restaurant considered wrong livelihood?
- π How not to feel helpless against the fact dukkha is everywhere?
- π How is re-linking consciousness reconciled with MN 38?
- π What and why is "perception of the dimension of nothingness"?
- π What is (re)born? Did the Buddha explicitly state that it is "the mental idea of the self" that is reborn?
- π In what ways you advance on the path ?
- π What does Buddhism teach about healing others through the mind
- π Which mindfulness technique should I choose?
- π How to Proceed By Right Effort
Source: stackoverflow.com
Search Posts
Related post
- π Is it okay to leave your suffering family behind when you have an instinct to attain Nirvana?
- π When is it okay to think?
- π What might be the impact when western monk start to think they must teach the elders?
- π When were women first welcomed into Buddhist orders?
- π Is it okay to seek financial gains as a layman?
- π Why is it hard to breathe naturally when meditating?
- π When meditation goes wrong
- π What could I say to someone when they ask me "why do you meditate?"
- π Please explain when and where to use the terms Theravada and Hinayana
- π How and when should a child be introduced to Buddhism?
- π When were the earliest Buddhist writings created
- π Do lions create bad kamma for their next life when they kill?
- π Mindfulness when on the train, underground and bus
- π How and when did the name "Buddhism" appear?
- π What do you wish you knew when you started down the path of buddhism?
- π Is it harmful to the Buddha when we request he or she to continue teaching instead of entering parinirvana?
- π When and why did monks stop meditating?
- π Details when practice vipassana
- π How does one escape suffering when they cannot provide for those they love
- π When will Maitreya Buddha come according to the Manimekalai?
- π When it comes to commercial products, is there harm to choosing a more beautiful and well-designed option?
- π When and how should someone practice Patikulamanasikara meditation (reflections of replusiveness)
- π Why is Buddhism followed mainly outside of India when it originated there?
- π When during meditation we forget where we are
- π What will be the situation of the world when every beings will attain Nirvana?
- π When do I realize that I am free from rebirth?
- π Is there some technique to surpass noises when meditating?
- π When is it time to meditate and when is it time to act?
- π Meditation object: Use color seeing when eyes are closed
- π How is prayer different in Buddhism when compared to theistic religions?