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Basic Buddhist Teachings 08 - Five Kinds of Fear and Anxiety - Poem
The talk begins with an analysis of the 51 mental formations according to the Yogacara (Consciousness-Only) tradition, divided into six main groups:
- Universal mental formations (5): contact, attention, feeling, perception, volition
- Particular mental formations (5): desire, determination, mindfulness, concentration, insight
- Wholesome mental formations (11): faith, sense of shame, sense of embarrassment, non-greed, non-hatred, non-delusion, diligence, lightness, non-carelessness, equanimity in action, non-harming
- Primary afflictions (6): greed, hatred, delusion, pride, doubt, wrong view
- Secondary afflictions (20)
- Indeterminate mental formations (4): regret, sleepiness, initial application, sustained application
Each mental formation must be examined in terms of its nature and its function, and Thay calls for contributions to help complete this diagram.
In the practice section, Thay presents how to bring mindfulness into contemplating feelings—the stream of pleasant, unpleasant, and neutral feelings—in order to transform suffering feelings into healthy, pleasant feelings. The method includes:
- Sitting firmly, breathing with the abdomen, focusing attention on the dan tian point to stabilize the mind
- Relying on three pillars: the method of practice, the energy of mindfulness from daily practice, and the support of the sangha
- Applying immediately for children through walking meditation, sitting posture, and mindful breathing with each step
In this way, any “storm” of strong emotions can be faced, transformed, and safely released.
Part of the following collection
Transforming Feelings and Opening Up to Inner Wealth