Page 53 - Dhamma Practice

sensations phenomenon, it is not animals, humans, we, or they. It emerges, exists, and ceases, naturally, according to its causes and conditions. One benefit from having a contemplating awareness is our mind will be alert—meaning that it is more powerful. Whoever falls asleep while concentrating (meditating), should try to contemplate the emergence-cessation of sensations phenomenon. Then, the sleepiness will disappear. This is sensations contemplation.
In addition to being aware that this physical body is the habitation for sufferings, that sensations are not “us” and that the sensations phenomenon and the mind are separate, practitioners should also observe that whenever we contemplate in this manner, what is the state of our mind? Do we feel alert, bright or dim, depressed or gloomy? These are the consequences that practitioners must investigate or observe. If I give you the answer now, you would all just wait to see (the state of mind) and might not find it. Therefore, the thing that we must contemplate for ourselves is when the sensations do not proclaim itself to be “us”, what is our state of mind? And, when we see that sensations are not permanent, should we be attached to them and claim them as “ours”?
When we contemplate sensations phenomenon while our physical bodies are still strong, this has many benefits. When our bodies are strong and resilient and our mind remains powerful enough to contemplate, we
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