We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track. If this problem persists help us by reporting it so we can investigate it.
Watch this talk
Login or create a free account to watch this talk and discover other teachings from Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh.
Log in or create an account
Basic Buddhist Teachings 03 - Five Minds, Six Minds, Three Practices - Practice
Mental formations, or “mental concomitants,” are the current contents of the mind, manifesting in every moment. There are two main groups:
-
Universal (sarvatraga – universally present):
- contact (xúc)
- attention (tác ý)
- feeling (thọ)
- perception/ideation (tưởng)
- volition/determination (tư)
-
Particular:
- desire/intention (dục)
- determination/resolve (thắng giải)
- remembrance/mindfulness (niệm)
- concentration (định)
- wisdom/understanding (tuệ)
Each mental formation can be wholesome, unwholesome, or neutral.
A key factor is appropriate attention (yoniso-manasikāra), which is the opposite of inappropriate attention, to recognize and “replace the peg” (vitakka-saṇṭhāna) of unhelpful intentions. Applied in the meditation on the breath (Anapanasati), mindfulness is expressed through six miracles:
- to be present – bringing body and mind together
- to acknowledge the presence of the other
- to relieve suffering
- to nurture
- to look deeply (quán chiếu)
- to see/insight (tuệ) → to transform (chuyển hóa)
Part of the following collection
The threads of contact, attention, and perception in the inner motivation