Page 25 - EH 73 May 2024

FACE TO FACE | EASTERN HORIZON 23

In the Satipaṭṭhana Sutta sampajañña is given as one of What about yoniso manasikāra (wise attention)? Is
the exercises for Mindfulness of the Body and is explained it another form of clear awareness? Please explain
as being mindful while walking, while eating, while its relationship to mindfulness and sampajañña.
washing the bowl etc. In the commentary four aspects of
sampajañña are given; minfulness of purpose, of suitability, Manasikāra means “doing with the mind.” This
of domain (i.e. inclusion in the meditative practice) and has more to do with thinking and with our
of reality (i.e. seeing the activity as having to the three cognitive understanding of things. For example it is
characteristics) understanding and applying the three characteristics
of imperfection, impermanence and non-substantiality
But do we need to develop Right View first since it to the objects. Yoniso manasikāra can be understood
is the start of the Eight-fold Path before practicing as a habit of mind. It also has a beneficial feedback
Right Mindfulness? relationship with mindfulness. When we train ourselves
to think in this way, we are not deluded by the objects
There are two ways of understanding the Noble Path. It and can see them clearly. This in turn fosters the natural
can be seen as a ladder with one state leading into the arising of wise reflection.
next or it can be seen as an eight stranded rope with
each factor helping all the others simultaneously. There In brief, what’s your advice for someone interested
is some truth in both ways of understanding. Right to begin a mindfulness meditation practice?
View is the foundation for the whole practice but that
doesn’t mean we need to perfect our view before we The best way is to find a retreat under a teacher able
begin working on the other factors. In the case of Right to provide guidance and answer questions that may
Mindfulness, this goes hand in hand with Right View arise. There are several different vipassanā traditions
especially. When we have some degree of Right View available, but remember that these are all skilful methods
as to reality, particularly regarding not-self, this makes or techniques to foster that mind state of clear seeing. If
seeing clearly easier. And when we see directly the it is not possible to attend a retreat, there is a wealth of
nature of reality with Right Mindfulness, this opens us teachings available in print and on the internet that one
up to a natural arising of Right View. can learn the basic methods from. Choose one method
that seems natural to you and follow the instructions
Do we cultivate mindfulness to develop concentration with diligence.
(samadhi) or does concentration results in
mindfulness? How do they relate to one another? If you are trying to develop a daily practice, the most
important thing is consistency. Set a realistic goal

Ajahn Chah said they are like two sides of a stick, they for yourself as to a period of meditation at the same
cannot really be separated. “Wisdom leads to samadhi time every day and stick to this strictly. It is most
and samadhi leads to wisdom.” The mind that is calmed important that you do your meditation whether you feel
and cleared with samadhi is better able to practice inspired or not. Very often when we overcome internal
vipassanā. Likewise, the mind that is awake and clear is resistance, we do the most important work. EH
less troubled by distractions and can perform samadhi
more easily. Both qualities are essential.

It could be added that in abhidhamma it is said that
there is no magga-phala (i.e. awakening) without
jhāna. However, there is no awakening within jhāna.
The two aspects of meditation are essential but they
are not identical.