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FEATURES | EASTERN HORIZON 47

“Mindfulness is the capacity to be with the constant flow of awareness,

and an inherent ability that we all share”

- Donald McCown, Diane Reibel, and Marc Micozzi (In Brandsma, 2017).

mind. For experienced mindfulness Right Mindfulness practice. Insight knowledge cannot
practitioners, it will enhance and be attained within a short period of
strengthen their practice through Mindfulness as a word by itself, is time. It has no deadline.
an understanding and realization of neutral in the sense of being non-
what and why they are practicing judgmental and non-reactive. It is But it is mindful learning resulting in
mindfulness for. Being mindful is also a mental state associated with experiential wisdom to gain insight
not something that comes naturally. consciousness functionally. That knowledge. This has to be cultivated
It has to be intentional with effort is where right mindfulness comes through silent observation
and energies consciously put into it. into the frame. If mindfulness is not (through being mindful), then
strong nor practiced rightly, it can guidance and instruction (from
So here, we are not talking about lead to bad intentions and outcomes, the master/teacher), followed by
mindfulness itself, but right as well as unskillful actions. That self-reflection, investigation,
mindfulness as outlined in the Noble depends on the task or activity that readapting and assimilating
Eightfold Path. Right mindfulness follows when one is not mindful. into the new instruction from the
(Sammā Sati) is an important Right mindfulness is to develop an master/teacher, and hence develop
pragmatic seventh pillar in the accurate and precise awareness understanding and insight.
Noble Eightfold Path of Buddhist of the present moment from the
dhamma together with its third triad experience as it is unfettered Right mindfulness is not as simple
of right effort (Sammā Vayama), by ideas, memories, beliefs, as it seems since faith has to
and right concentration (Sammā expectations and so on. It skews be balanced with wisdom, and

Samādhi) of mental development consciousness to positive mental concentration has to be balanced
and cultivation (bhāvanā). development and cultivation. with energy, and mindfulness has
to be maximal during meditation.
Right mindfulness is not just That is why in the Pali Canon, the Ven. Nyanaponika pointed out that
awareness, but precise awareness practice of right mindfulness is “right mindfulness is to realize a
of mental and physical phenomena stressed and emphasized. Right total awareness of the true nature of
from moment-to-moment with the mindfulness then ensures that phenomena as the objects of thought,
characteristics of insight into non- quality of the mind. It starts with and the way they really are.” It is
self, impermanence and suffering establishing the four foundations the observation of the mind, free
culminating into its cessation, or satipaṭṭhānas of awareness and of judgments of every experience,
liberation, and Nibbāna. It is having contemplation of the body, feelings, and examined closely to see what it
the presence of mind to intentionally the mind itself, and thoughts. really is. Isn’t that what “Ehi passiko”
pay attention to what is occurring This makes it being aware of the (‘inviting one to come and see’), a
in the present moment. E.F.F.O.R.T.S. totality of human experience. Yes. Dhamma attribute is all about?
in relation to right mindfulness Mindfulness is about experience
alludes to it in practice and its from an activity to see suffering and For those new to the practice of
understanding, and acknowledgment how to overcome and end it. It is mindfulness, basically, it is about:
helps practitioners to strengthen to maintain a positive balance that “paying attention purposefully
their practice. requires consistent and long-term on the present moment with