2021-06-29 Clear Recognition (2 of 5) Comprehension of Purpose

8:36PM Jun 30, 2021

Speakers:

Gil Fronsdal

Keywords:

purpose

clear

life

recognition

comprehension

reflection

meditation

mindfulness practice

question

contemplate

activity

contemplation

mind

contemplative

supported

present

involves

wise

motivations

mindfulness

Continuing now with this second talk on sampajāna, often translated as "clear comprehension." For the first day, first meditation, the translation I liked was "clear recognition." In the simplest way we do mindfulness practice, we bring together our ability to be present and aware, with our ability to clearly recognize. Sometimes we emphasize one more than the other. We go back and forth.

As the practice gets deeper – more still, quiet and peaceful – sometimes the part that needs to be emphasized – that helps mindfulness practice come to maturity – is the clear recognition of phenomena. What is happening in the moment that clear observation recognizes.

That recognition gets quieter itself, more peaceful, almost as if it is a whisper in the mind. This recognition is an important factor.

In other situations, life outside of meditation, sampajāna is sometimes better translated as "clear comprehension" or "clear understanding." This speaks to how a Buddhist life, maybe a human life, involves more than mindfulness – more than moment to moment awareness and recognition of what is happening now. It also involves contemplation, reflection, wise thinking about what is going on.

It does, in fact, involve understanding where things come from and where they are going, and the context and motivations for us to do things. The fullness of human life is that we are able to navigate or swim in all the different aspects of our psychological, emotional, physical, and social life. To understand and navigate is part of what makes life rich. It is an important part of life.

Clear comprehension, in the world of activities, is part of a wise practice. In mindfulness practice, there is the instruction I read last week about mindfulness in activities. As we reach out our arm, bend our arm, there is clear comprehension. As we put on our clothes, as we eat or go to the bathroom, there is clear comprehension of these activities. There is a list of things. For every ordinary and non-ordinary human activity we engage in, there can be clear comprehension of the activity.

The ancient commentaries have four different areas that we can reflect on, or contemplate, so we can live a wise life. These are: clear comprehension of purpose, clear comprehension of suitability, clear comprehension of the pasture, and clear comprehension of non-delusion.

We will take some time with each of these. Long enough so they become second nature. Not that we bring out a checklist to go through and live a constricted life of analysis. These four areas are meant to open us and free us to live a wiser life.

The first is clear comprehension of purpose. That is to ask ourselves, "What's the purpose of what we're about to do?" "What's the purpose of the thing we're doing?" "What was the purpose of what we just did?" Sometimes what we think was the purpose might not really have been the purpose. Or things shift and change. Or we are not aware of the subconscious reasons why we are doing something. That is when the reflection afterwards is very helpful. But especially before, if you are wondering what to do, to understand, "What's the purpose for doing this?"

Standing in front of the refrigerator, ready to open it. If you ask yourself the question, "What's the purpose of opening this refrigerator?" Really ask yourself that question. Simply the answer, "It's in order to open the door." That is a fine answer, in a certain way. Some people will make that answer as a kind of, I don't know, spiritual superiority. "Look, that's all I'm doing – the simplicity of just being present for this."

But still, opening the refrigerator door has a purpose. "I'm looking for a snack." "I want to fill my loneliness with something or distract myself." Or "I'm really hungry. If I don't have some food now, the next conversation I have, I won't be at my best." Or, "My family is hungry, and I'm going to cook for them." Or, "I need to go shopping. I need to see what's in there."

We keep asking, "What's the purpose of this?" More important than these things is, "Is the purpose wholesome or unwholesome?" "Is it a beneficial purpose, or is it not?"

To ask this question, "What is the purpose?," is fascinating to do with speech. In fact, I have often taught that, if you want a shortcut to the depths of your inner life – the royal road to the unconscious – keep asking yourself, "Why are you going to say what you say? What motivates you to speak?" Many people speak somewhat impulsively, subconsciously, unconsciously or without much reflection. There is a reservoir or wellspring of motivations behind what we say. To ask ourselves the questions, "Why am I saying this?" "Why am I going to say this?" can begin revealing some of these layers of what drives us, the operating systems we have.

Sitting down to meditate, what is the purpose of meditation – not to evoke a lot of reflection, but to be clear about it. I have set down to meditate out of rote habit – "This is what I do." Sometimes I have done that and have not been that involved in my meditation. It is like still moving along in my train of thoughts – a bit distracted and concerned about things.

I have set down to meditate and said, "What's the purpose of meditation now?" Just that question, even though the answer might be the same every day, like, "I'm here to be present," or, "I'm here to let go of my clinging and attachment," or, "To really be here in a clear way." All kinds of answers to that question. Even if it is the same answer every day, to really say it to oneself, "This is the purpose." That recognition and acknowledgement can give us more stability or emphasis to, "Okay, let's do it." "Let's not just let the habits of the mind continue to have their own way. Let's show up and be present here. Do the practice."

Asking ourselves, "What's the purpose we have?" It is a great question. In a conversation supporting someone, sometimes it is helpful to ask them – if they are struggling with a decision – what is the purpose of the decision? What is the underlying value of what you are trying to do, or the intention or direction you are trying to go?

To ask these kinds of questions is to live a reflective life, a contemplative life. I think it is helpful to spend some time with that kind of contemplative thinking. I like to go for walks by myself. That is when I contemplate. I am delighted by the different things that will pop up in my mind. They will not come up in the mind if I am living my full life, doing all the usual things. I need to have fallow time. Some time away from everything to let things percolate and bubble up. Often, for me, exercising does the same thing. I give freedom to my mind and there is a kind of contemplation that begins going on, a reflection that happens naturally.

Not just a mindful life, but to live a mindful life that is supported and guided by a contemplative, reflective life. One of the key forms of contemplation and reflection is to ask the question, "What is the purpose of what you are going to do?" That might be for the particular event or activity for right now.

Occasionally, it is good to open up that question and ask, "What's the purpose for my life, for what I'm doing, for my work?" Really explore whatever purpose comes up for you. Is that the purpose you want to stand behind, that you want to devote yourself to? Does it feel nourishing, enlivening and purposeful for you in a good way?

One of those things is to walk the Buddhist path, the path to freedom. Thank you. May you reflect today, the next 24 hours, on purpose, clear comprehension of purpose. In a relaxed way, be supported by the simplicity of recognition. Keep things simple and contemplate. See what benefits and aliveness come from a clear understanding of purpose. Thank you all very much.