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16 EASTERN HORIZON | TEACHINGS

most importantly the cultivation of When we succumb to such a the Theravada Buddhist tradition;
wisdom and compassion. cognitive hyperactivity disorder, they are found also found within
we perceive and recall things that the Mahayana. Commentaries on
Thirdly, in cases of emotional never happened outside our own these practices were composed by
imbalances the mind oscillates imaginations. And trouble starts such Indian masters as Vasubandhu,
between excessive craving and brewing when we act on the basis of Asanga and Shantideva, and there
hostility, hope and fear, and self- those misperceptions. are later commentaries by Tibetan
centered elation and depression. scholars and contemplatives.
Or we may suffer at times from an When the early followers of the
emotional deficiency (not feeling Buddha devoted themselves to Understanding the Four Noble
much of anything) or hyperactivity such practices, their benefits were Truths and the practices of
(overreacting to agreeable and evident to others in their society, meditative quiescence, the Four
disturbing things and events). who would eagerly ask them, “What Immeasurables and the Four
Buddhism offers a rich variety teaching do you follow?” To these Applications of Mindfulness are
of instructions on recognizing inquiries they would often reply, basic to all schools of Buddhism,
emotional afflictions and healing “Come and see!” Let us follow in and no school has a unique claim
them, and we can also take their noble footsteps, barefoot and to the purity of their transmission
advantage of its sublime teachings well grounded. of these teachings. They are vital
on the cultivation of immeasurable for anyone who is concerned
loving-kindness, compassion, On other occasions, we may be with enhancing their sanity and
empathetic joy, and equanimity. prone to the cognitive deficit mental balance. With only subtle
Like the teachings on meditative disorder of not perceiving things differences, they are common
quiescence, there are no significant and events that clearly present to Theravada and Mahayana
differences in these teachings on themselves to our senses. We just Buddhism, and their practical
the Four Immeasurables among the weren’t present. This is called benefits are for all to see. Such
various orders of Buddhism. None “ignorance.” When this sets in, practices are firmly grounded in
of them is “purer” than the others. we’ve gone AWOL from reality. experience. Before we learn to
While it can be said that all the run to enlightenment with the
A fourth kind of mental imbalance wisdom teachings of the Buddha elegant shoes of Vajrayana or other
that undermines our pursuit of a address such cognitive disorders, advanced practices within the
lasting state of peace and well-being none are more fundamental Buddhist tradition, let’s learn to
consists of cognitive imbalances. than his instructions on the Four walk barefoot with these practices
This isn’t a term that’s commonly Applications of Mindfulness. These that are fundamental to human
used in Buddhist texts, but the entail the cultivation of discerning well-being, regardless of one’s sect
meaning I’m giving it is entirely mindfulness with which we inspect or belief system. When the early
traditional. the nature of our own and others’ followers of the Buddha devoted
bodies, feelings, mental states themselves to such practices, their
One kind of cognitive imbalance and processes, and phenomena benefits were evident to others in
involves mixing up our conceptual at large. The Buddha’s primary their society, who would eagerly
projections with the world that teachings on these foundations of ask them, “What teaching do
actually presents itself to our mindfulness are found in the Pali you follow?” To these inquiries
senses (both inner and outer). canon in the Satipatthana Sutta, they would often reply, “Come
This is rightly called “delusion,” for which the fifth-century scholar and see!” Let us follow in their
and according to Buddhism, it is Buddhaghosa composed the most noble footsteps, barefoot and well
the common lot of sentient beings authoritative commentary. But grounded. EH
wandering in the cycle of existence. these practices are not confined to