[7luminaries]

Originally Posted by Gem

Speaking of 'craving' there are simplifications that serve teaching purposes, but the word 'tanha' (craving) includes both aversion and desire, these two being unified and inseparable, and where this concerns suffering, craving is the reactions to sensations. Hence in the discourse on dependent arisings, from vedana (sensations) tanha (craving) arises.


The meditation is sensation based, so breath awareness is actually being aware of the sensation of breathing, and body awareness is awareness of sensations in the body. Mind awareness is slightly different because it means being aware of mental rather than physical phenomena, but on closer examination, the body and mind is a unified aggregate or phenom.


The idea behind mindfulness is to break the link between sensation and craving. Hence be sensation pleasant, unpleasant, or neutral, the mind remains the same, balanced, rather than entering into the old habits of reacting with aversion and desire - which are unified by the term 'craving'.


This is achieved by being consciously aware of sensation and seeing for yourself how craving arises from sensation. Then, by looking into the fundamental nature sensation: impermanence; you know, regardless of it being pleasurable, unpleasant or neutral, it changes momentarily and 'this too will pass'.

Gem hello there. Yes even that wonderful moment had its time in the annals of what is and then it passed. Like all moments pass. You're right that the incessant striving for only moments like these, or only bliss, etc., is a huge craving (perhaps one made manifest and tended to incessantly as well...). And it's not settling into the fullness of what is, which is more than just the moments of joyful or blissful experience. And it is certainly more than oppressive or slavish seeking of only these sorts of moments.

It did also point me to something else, however. Something more subtle. It pointed me back to the sublime joy of being here now. It reminded me that our true nature reflects this immediacy and presence, and that there is joy in simply that. Regardless of how it feels and regardless that that too shall pass. But it also pointed me to the apprehension that ultimately, the sublime joy is the true joy. It is the true bliss. The deepest and most foundational bliss (hyperboles aside ).

It's that apprehension -- and that sublime joy -- is what I wish for everyone and for all things.

Peace & blessings
7L