Page 44 - Extinguishment of self, in search of dhamma
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existence-cessation, it will help resolve our problems. Most people say that they have too many thoughts. As thoughts emerge numerously, they feel that they are not able to extinguish (Translator’s note: The thoughts), then fabrications ensue. They become attached to those thoughts, then sufferings arise.
Therefore, if we separate the physical and mental phenomena, if we make our mind unburdened and wide, then we will experience the true nature of “an unburdened mind” and “the thoughts that emerge”. But, here we need to have the intention to experience. When the mind is free from self; and we have the intention to clearly and consistently experience the emergence-existence-cessation of the thoughts, then we will experience the ultimate truth that perceptions (sanna) are not permanent; mental formations (sankhara) are not permanent. Mental formations (citta- sankhara)—mental fabrications are also impermanent. As they are fabricated, they cease. As they are experienced, they cease. Even old stories that emerge, they are merely perceptions and they will cease. Perceptions are not permanent.
This is how we should contemplate: When mental formations/perceptions emerge, clearly separate the mind that experiences from the mental formations and perceptions. Then, be an experiencer to contemplate the emergence-existence-cessation, emergence-existence-