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As Right Thinking
The five universal mental formations (omnipresent mental factors) include the five sense bases and the five sense objects, along with the sixth base, which is the mind; they are always present everywhere.
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Contact (sparśa): the contact between the five sense bases (eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body) and the five sense objects (form, sound, smell, taste, touch), and the mind with dharmas, continuously giving rise to consciousness (eye consciousness…mind consciousness).
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Attention (manaskāra): the act of directing the mind toward an object; it includes appropriate attention which leads to practice and happiness, and inappropriate attention which gives rise to craving, anger, sorrow, and grief.
In our practice, the environment and the practice support appropriate attention:
- The sound of the bell, the fragrance of incense, the way flowers are arranged, the placement of meditation cushions… all guide the mind back to mindfulness.
- Will (attention) is likened to a “switch” that shifts between the ten realms (hell to Buddhahood) in the store consciousness.
- Mindful breathing and mindful steps are means to protect body and mind, helping us to immediately choose a wholesome “channel.”
- The Sangha, clear practice plans, and sharing experiences help to nurture appropriate attention, protecting us twenty-four hours a day.