Page 15 - Extinguishment of self, in search of dhamma
P. 15
phenomenon) to be. When we have the intention to really see how the phenomena are, then we will experience the natural conditions that emerge and how they are. We will no longer rely solely on our perceptions (sanna). We “remember” that this is the knee, this is the back, and this is the shoulder. Even without their forms, we remember the back, the shoulder. This is because we are attached to descriptive reality (banyat). This leads to the attachment to forms (kana-banyat), leading to a sense of self.
Therefore, when contemplating conscious phenomena, contemplate according to reality. Our attachment is not physical, but mental. Sensations reside in the physical body, but the thing that latches on to sensations is our mind. It is our own understanding that we should latch on to sensations—to claim them as ours. The Buddha said that sensations are not permanent. We are merely contemplating according to the Buddha’s statement to see how sensations are not permanent; how they change and how they differ from their former states.
Once we have experienced this impermanent state, the key is not to ignore it. If we ignore this impermanent state, then our mindfulness (sati), concentration (samadhi), and wisdom (panna) will not develop. If we experience then just ignore, then sufferings (dukkha) will re-emerge, as usual. We experience sufferings and sensations constantly because we only think about letting go. Here,
7