Doubt and Uncertainty Stupefies the Mind!

Friends:

Doubt and Uncertainty Stupefies the Mind!



A Brahmin once asked the Blessed Buddha:
Master Gotama, what is the cause of being unable to remember something
that has been memorized over a long period? The blessed Buddha answered:
"Brahmin, when mind is perplexed by doubt & uncertainty, undecided, baffled
wavering and wobbling by doubt & uncertainty, and one does not understand
any actual safe escape from this arisen states mental doubt & uncertainty,
then one can neither see, nor ever understand any of what is advantageous,
neither for oneself, nor for others, nor for both oneself and others!
Then, consequently, what has been long memorized, cannot be remembered…
Why is this neglect & amnesia so? Imagine a bucket of water that is muddy,
unclear, cloudy, blurred and dark. If a man even with good eye-sight were
to inspect the reflection of his own face in it, he would neither see, nor ever
recognize it, as it really is! So too, brahmin, when mind is confused by doubt
and uncertainty, baffled, bewildered & hesitating by doubt & uncertainty,
on such occasions even things that have been long memorized, cannot recur
to the mind, not to speak of those texts, events and important information,
that have not been memorized at all…"

On how to prevent Skeptical Doubt & Uncertainty (Vicikicchā):
Systematic Attention to scrutinizing investigation, examination & probing:
1: What is advantageous and what is detrimental here?
2: What is blameable and what is blameless in this situation?
3: What is ordinary and what is excellent in this particular case?
4: What is on the bright side and what is on the dark side in this aspect?


Doubt, Uncertainty, Hesitation & Vexation leads to Frustrating Perplexity!
Doubt stupefies action since decision to choose any alternative is blocked.

Medicine for Doubt and Uncertainty:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Barren_Stagnation.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/Canon/Sutta/AN/AN.I.3-4.htm 
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/Canon/Sutta/AN/AN.I.3-4c.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Suitable_Substitution.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Understanding_is_the_Chief.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/How_to_Overcome_Doubt.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Curing_Doubt_and_Uncertainty.htm

Vexation, Hesitation, Confusion and Painful Perplexity...

Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikāya.
Book [V:123-4] section 46: The Links. 55: To Sangarava...

Have a nice & noble day!
 
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samāhita _/\_ ]
http://What-Buddha-Said.net

How to cure hesitant Doubt and Uncertainty!

Friends:

    How to cure hesitant Doubt and Uncertainty!

Noticing Doubt-&-Uncertainty (vicikicchā) emerge can make it fade away:
Herein, Bhikkhus, when Doubt-&-Uncertainty is present in him, the bhikkhu
notes & understands: "There is Doubt-&-Uncertainty in me", and when this
Doubt-&-Uncertainty is absent, he similarly notices and understands: "Now
no Doubt-&-Uncertainty is in me". He also fully understands how unarisen
Doubt-&-Uncertainty arises. He also understands how to leave behind any
arisen Doubt-&-Uncertainty, and he understands how left and eliminated
Doubt-&-Uncertainty will not arise again in the future. MN 10

What is the feeding cause that makes Doubt-&-Uncertainty arise?
There are doubtful, unclear, indeterminable, and inconclusive ambiguities!
Often giving irrational and unwise attention to such matters, is the feeding
cause of the arising of yet absent Doubt-&-Uncertainty, and the feeding
cause of worsening and aggravation of Doubt-&-Uncertainty, that already
emerged. SN 46:51

What is the starving cause that makes Doubt-&-Uncertainty cease?
There are advantageous & detrimental states, blameable and blameless,
average and excellent states, and dark and bright states, frequently giving
rational and wise attention to these, is the starving cause for prevention of
unarisen Doubt-&-Uncertainty, and the starving cause for the elimination
of Doubt-&-Uncertainty, that has already appeared. SN 46:51

                                                                                                                                        
Some advantageous reflections regarding Doubt-&-Uncertainty:
There are these 6 things, which help to throw out doubt:
1: The state of being learned in the Buddha-Dhamma.
2: Examining the Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha.
3: Understanding the advantageousness of Moral Discipline. 
4: Being decided and convinced about the 3 Jewels.
5: Sympathetic, clever and helpful friends, who knows directly.
6: Explaining talk and teachings that can dispel doubt.

Doubt-&-Uncertainty is like a Desert:
Doubt-&-Uncertainty is just as when a rich man travels through a desolate
desert where there is no food and much danger.
Freedom from Doubt-&-Uncertainty is like when he has crossed the desert,
and gradually reaches safety near a village, a secure place, free from danger.
There he is relieved. DN 2



So is it when doubts about one of the 8 objects of doubt has arisen. See #
Doubting whether the Master really is a perfectly Enlightened One or not,
one cannot become assured of it with confidence. Unconvinced one remains
unable to attain to the paths and fruits of Nobility. Thus, as the traveller
in the desert is uncertain whether robbers are there or not, he produces in
his mind, again & again, a state of wavering & vacillation, a lack of decision,
a state of anxiety, and thus he creates in himself an obstacle for reaching
the safe ground of the Noble Ones (ariya-bhumi). In that way, is sceptical
doubt like travelling in a barren and dry desert!

#: They are, according to the Vibhanga: doubt in regard to the Buddha,
the Dhamma, the Sangha, the (threefold) training, the past, the future,
and the conditionality of dependently arisen phenomena.

Doubt and uncertainty can only be indecisive about which action to choose
and thus paralyzes the skeptic by hesitancy leaving the problem unsettled!
Doubt can only be eliminated by examining and scrutinizing the object much.

Once elderly yet undecided brahman Dhotaka asked the Buddha:
I see here in the world of beings divine & human, good ones,
who lives simply by possessing nothing. I thus bow for you All-around Eye.
Please Sakyan, release me from my doubts!

The Buddha answered: No one in this world, Dhotaka, can I ever release
from doubting. But knowing the most excellent Dhamma, you will cross the
raving ocean of vacillating uncertainty.

Dhotaka now more confident: I admire, Great Seer, that peace supreme,
all stilled, knowing which, living aware and detached, I'll go beyond the
imprisoning entanglement of this world.

Then I will teach you that peace even right here, not just hearsay words,
understanding which, living aware and detached, you will go beyond the
incarcerating entanglement of this world.

Teach me as your friend, O best one, the Dhamma of detachment so that I
may know directly, so that I, as unaffected as space, may live right here,
at ease in peace, calmed, stilled and not dependent on anything...

Whatever you are aware of, Dhotaka, above, below, across, or in between;
know this as a chain to this world! Thus, do not create any craving for any
form of being in existence, any form of new becoming or any non-becoming!
Sutta Nipāta V 6


Entering the jungle of views and opinions, one will never reach certainty!

See also:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Barren_Stagnation.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Suitable_Substitution.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Doubt_and_Uncertainty.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/u_v/vicikicchaa.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/How_to_Overcome_Doubt.htm

Have a nice & noble day!
 
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samāhita _/\_ ]
http://What-Buddha-Said.net

Having Free Choice of Emotional Response?

Friends:

Having Free Choice of Emotional Response?



Bhikkhus, the concentration gained by Awareness by Breathing,
when developed and cultivated, is of great fruit & advantage.
And how, Bhikkhus, is concentration by Awareness by Breathing
developed & cultivated so that it is of great fruit & advantage?
Bhikkhus, when a Bhikkhu, who have gone to the forest, or to the
root of a tree, or to an empty hut, there he sits down cross-legged,
having straightened his body and back, & set up awareness around
the nostrils, then just plain aware of that itself he breathes in, and
then just solely aware of only that breathing itself he breathes out...
1: Breathing in long, he knows, notes & understands: I inhale long!
Breathing out long, he knows, notes & understands: I exhale long!
... ... ... (steps 2-15)
16: He trains thus: Contemplating relinquishment, I will breathe in!
He trains thus: Contemplating relinquishment, I will breathe out!
It is, Bhikkhus, when Awareness by Breathing is trained, developed
& refined in exactly this way that it is of great fruit & advantage!
I too, Bhikkhus, before my enlightenment, while still a Bodhisatta,
generally dwelt in this dwelling. Then neither did my body, nor did
my eyes became tired & my mind, by not clinging, was freed from
the mental fermentations...
Therefore, Bhikkhus, if a Bhikkhu wishes: May neither my body
nor my eyes become tired & may my mind, by not clinging, become
freed from the mental fermentations, this same concentration
won by Awareness by Breathing should be closely attended to.
Therefore, Bhikkhus, if a Bhikkhu wishes: May all the memories
and motivations of the household life be left all behind by me,
then this same concentration by Awareness by Breathing should
be frequently trained and enthusiastically attended to.
Therefore, Bhikkhus, if a Bhikkhu should come to wish:
May I perceive only disgust in what is attractive & tempting... or
May I perceive only beauty in what is repulsive & disgusting... or
May I dwell unaffected in equanimity & quite aloof of both the
attractive & the repulsive, just aware & clearly comprehending...
then this same concentration by Awareness by Breathing should
be cultivated often and devoted much wholehearted attention!

More on this sublime technique used by all Buddhas at Awakening:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Unique_Thing_Awareness_by_Breathing.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Awareness_by_Breathing.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/Manual/Meditation.Manual.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/a/anapana_sati.htm
http://www.pariyatti.com/book.cgi?prod_id=404502

Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikāya. [V:316-7]
section 54: Ānāpānasamyutta. Thread 8: The simile of the Lamp!

The Lamp!

Have a nice & noble day!
 
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samāhita _/\_ ]
http://What-Buddha-Said.net

Awareness by Breathing is a Unique Thing!

Friends:

Awareness by Breathing is a Unique Thing!

Once in Savatthi the Blessed Buddha said this:
"Bhikkhus, there is one unique thing, which when trained and cultivated,
is of great fruit and great advantage. What is that one unique thing?
It is Awareness by Breathing (Ānāpānasati)! And how, Bhikkhus, is
this Awareness by Breathing trained, developed, cultivated and refined
so that it is of really great fruit and of immense long-term advantage?
Bhikkhus, when a Bhikkhu, who have gone to the forest, or to the
root of a tree, or to an empty hut, then he sits down cross-legged,
having straightened his body and back, and set up awareness around
the nostrils, then just plain aware of only that itself, he breathes in, and
then just solely aware of only that breathing itself, he breathes out...
1: Breathing in long, he knows, notes and understands: I inhale long!
Breathing out long, he knows, notes and understands: I exhale long!
2: Breathing in short, he knows, notes and understands: I inhale short!
Breathing out short, he knows, notes and understands: I exhale short!
3: He trains thus: Experiencing the entire body, I will breathe in-&-out!
4: Calming all bodily activity, I will breathe in-&-out!
5: Experiencing enraptured joy, I will breathe in-&-out!
6: Experiencing a happy pleasure, I will breathe in-&-out!
7: Experiencing all mental activity, I will breathe in-&-out!
8: Calming all mental activity, I will breathe in-&-out!
9: Experiencing the present mood, I will breathe in-&-out!
10: Elating and satisfying the mind, I will breathe in-&-out!
11: Concentrating and focusing mind, I will breathe in-&-out!
12: Releasing, and liberating the mind, I will breathe in-&-out!
13: Contemplating impermanence, I will breathe in-&-out!
14: Contemplating disillusion, I will breathe in-&-out!
15: Contemplating ceasing, I will breathe in-&-out!
16: He trains thus: Contemplating relinquishment, I will breathe in-&-out!
It is, Bhikkhus, when Awareness by Breathing is trained, developed
and refined in exactly this way, that it is of great fruit and advantage!"

Comments:
These 16 steps should be memorized fully. Print out and bring to pillow!
Breath meditation produces both calm (Samatha) and insight (Vipassanā)
by stilling the bursts of distractions, which obstructs all plans of thinking.
It is capable of inducing all the four levels of mental absorption (Jhāna).
Continuous awareness can be established by this technique, which has no
adverse side-effects, is simple yet profound, and especially well suited
for those plagued by stress, agitation, restlessness, worries, speculation,
anxiety, fear, hesitation, doubts, uncertainty and confusion.  Nobody!, 
who have trained this technique, have ever regretted it! Most just smiles
silently... ;-), not without reason, like the Buddha image illustrated below!  

    

The Ānāpāna-sati meditation technique is used by all Buddhas at Awakening:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Awareness_by_Breathing.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Experiencing_the_Breath.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/DPPN/wtb/a/anapana_sati.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/Manual/Meditation.Manual.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/V/Magnificent_Meditation.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/library/pdfs/anapanasati.pdf
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_LAMP_IV.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_LAMP_II.htm
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/The_LAMP_I.htm



Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikāya. [V:311]
section 54: Ānāpānasamyutta. Thread 1: A Unique Thing!

Have a nice & noble day!
 
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samāhita _/\_ ]
http://What-Buddha-Said.net

How to train endless Pity and Compassion!

Friends:

How to train endless Pity and Compassion!

Sitting alone, in silence, each early morning, with closed eyes, one wishes:
May I radiate and meet with only infinite pity, sympathy, and compassion!
May I & all the various beings on the 31 levels of existence develop & find
only this genuine gentleness of infinite pity, sympathy, and compassion!
May I & all beings on the sense-desire, fine-material, & the formless plane
develop & encounter this tender infinite pity, sympathy, and compassion!
May I & all beings in the front, to the right, the back, the left & below as
above develop & experience caring infinite pity, sympathy, & compassion!
May I & all beings in this city, country, and universe always be fully aware
and deeply mindful of this warm infinite pity, sympathy, and compassion!
May I & all beings in this city, country, and universe examine all details &
subtle aspects of this benevolent infinite pity, sympathy, and compassion!
May I & all beings in this city, country, & universe put enthusiastic effort
in their praxis of this affectionate infinite pity, sympathy, & compassion!
May I & all beings in this city, country and universe find enraptured joy &
jubilant gladness in this fond infinite pity, sympathy, and compassion!
May I & all beings in this city, country, & universe cultivate the tranquillity
of quiet, silent, stilled, & endlessly merciful pity, sympathy, & compassion!
May I & all beings in this city, country and universe attain concentrated &
absorbed one-pointedness by this infinite pity, sympathy, and compassion!
May I & all beings in this city, country, and universe dwell in imperturbable
equanimity joined with this loving infinite pity, sympathy, and compassion...
Yeah! Print this out, dwell in each state until clear, use ~ 25-45 minutes. 



Comment: All-Embracing Pity is the 2nd infinitely divine state (Appamaññā)
This gradually reduces all aggressiveness, cruelty, ferocity, viciousness,
rage, inner & outer violence, and unhappiness related with these states.
Joined with the 7 links to Awakening it will later cause formless jhānas...

More on Pity (Karunā = Compassion): Karuna_is_Pity, Space_Compassion,
What_is_Wrong, Safe_Medicine, Great_Compassion, Compassionate_Pity,
How_to_Cure_Cruelty_and_Revengefulness

Have a nice & noble day!
 
Friendship is the Greatest!
Bhikkhu Samāhita _/\_ ]
http://What-Buddha-Said.net