7 Treasures of Awakening: The Benefits of Mindfulness by Joseph Goldstein

Author:Joseph Goldstein [Goldstein, Joseph]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2014-06-01T00:00:00+00:00

Reflect on Peace

The last of the reflections that can bring about pīti, or dhamma joy, is the reflection on peace, the subsiding of the mental defilements. Notice the quality of peace when the mind is free of the hindrances or defilements. This is particularly noticeable when the mind comes out of some mental drama. It might be a lustful fantasy, some bout of annoyance or ill will, or maybe just quick moments of desire or irritation. We can bring understanding to these states, how we get caught up in them and how release from them happens, and then begin to taste what is called “momentary freedom.” Reflecting on this quality of peace inspires us with what’s possible in our lives.

Reflection on peace also refers to nibbāna. Although we may not yet have realized nibbāna for ourselves, even reflecting on how the Buddha described it can arouse interest and joy in the mind. Some people have gotten enlightened just hearing the words the Buddha used to point to and remind us of this highest happiness: the unborn, the undying, the peaceful, the deathless, the serene, the wonderful, the amazing, the unailing, the unafflicted, dispassion, purity, freedom.

It is this fourth factor of awakening, rapture, that fills us with a joy in the Dhamma and inspires us to fulfill this great journey. Although there is the potential for rapture to become an imperfection of insight because of our attachment to it, this interest-arousing factor plays an important role both in the first two states of concentrated absorption and as one of the essential factors of awakening. As the Buddhist scholar Rupert Gethin points out, it is rapture, or dhamma happiness, and the next awakening factor of calm that are at the heart of the positive emotional effects of the path.

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