略說四念處(A brief discussion on the Four Foundations of Mindfulness)

四念處是解脫道蠻重要的一個法門

這篇會有不少內容跟先前的略說止觀重複

四念處就是觀身、受、心、法

簡略的說是身不淨、受是苦、心無常、法無我

但實際上是四念處都可以觀到共相(無常、苦、無我)

雖然說是觀

但其實是用心去感受去看

毗婆舍那(清楚的看見)但並不是真的用眼去看

眼根有它的極限在

想想睡著的時候，做夢是不是也可以有影像、聲音、感受

真正在領受一切，造作一切的，是在心

觀到後來會發現是心在欺騙心

最後心就接受真相然後放下了

那要怎麼修四念處 ??

首先要有覺知自己的能力

簡稱要有自覺

這個多數的人都有，不用擔心做不到

難的在於是不是能夠念念相續，念念不斷

當自我覺察的能力能夠做到行、住、坐、臥都能念念相續

要開發智慧就不是難事

這裡要特別提醒讀者，開車、工作等需要相當的集中力時最好不要修

因為觀的過程會耗費大量心力，很容易導致分心，會有危險

沒有自覺能力怎麼辦??

那就先修專注力，有了一定的專注力後，就不容易把自覺跟胡思亂想搞混

每一個胡思亂想的念頭都能清清楚楚地知道

那四念處一定要每個都修嗎??

不一定 !!!

常常在動腦筋思考的可以去觀心

自己生氣知道，自己開心知道，自己忌妒知道，自己沮喪知道，自己想睡知道

自己不生氣了知道，自己不開心了知道，自己不忌妒了知道，自己不沮喪了知道，自己不想睡了知道

去觀察自己的心理、情緒變化

這樣子去感受它的變化跟無法控制

久了就會知道每種境界都是會生滅、生滅

什麼類型的人去觀身??

特別愛漂亮、愛美的人

去觀察自己的頭髮、指甲、毛、牙

會把這些當成是我嗎???

去思維身體上到下，下到上

由皮、骨頭、肌肉、淚水、心、肝、脾、肺、腎、膽汁、大小便、膿等等不淨所組成的自己

這些部份是我嗎 ??

外面的美女帥哥也是同樣的組成，還可愛嗎??

身體姿勢變換的時候知道姿勢變換

為什麼變換??

因為不舒服 !!

不舒服也沒辦法叫它停止

受呢 ??

接觸到可愛可喜的事物後產生快樂自己知道

接觸到討厭恐懼的事物後產生痛苦自己知道

接觸到平淡的事物沒有太多感覺自己知道

去體會這些快樂、痛苦、沒感覺都是自動生起跟滅去

沒辦法叫它不要生起跟快速滅去

就這樣不斷地去觀，去感受

能觀身就觀身

能觀心就觀心

能觀受就觀受

能交替著觀就交替著觀

讀者看到這裡會發現還漏了法

法的部分是相對微細的

算是比較進階的課題

有興趣瞭解的可以參考大念處經

真心想滅苦的讀者們

踏踏實實的修四念處

耐著性子的練習

是能夠在練習的過程中感受到苦的減少的

自己能夠清楚知道自己的變化

直到苦的止息

願各位幸福無煩惱

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The Four Foundations of Mindfulness are an important method on the path to liberation. This article will cover content that overlaps with previous discussions on mindfulness.

The Four Foundations of Mindfulness are mindfulness of the body, feelings, mind, and phenomena. In brief, it is understanding that the body is impure, feelings are suffering, the mind is impermanent, and phenomena are without a self. However, in actual practice, all Four Foundations of Mindfulness reveal the common characteristics of impermanence, suffering, and non-self.

Although termed "mindfulness," it actually involves using the mind to feel and observe. It is about "clear seeing" (vipassana), but not seeing with the physical eyes, as the eye faculty has its limitations. Think about dreaming while asleep—there are images, sounds, and feelings. True perception and all actions originate within the mind. Upon observing, one eventually realizes that the mind deceives itself. Finally, the mind accepts the truth and lets go.

How does one practice the Four Foundations of Mindfulness?

Firstly, one must have the awareness of one's capabilities—simply put, mindfulness. Most people possess this ability, so there's no need to worry about not being able to achieve it. The challenge lies in maintaining continuous mindfulness in every moment of walking, standing, sitting, or lying down. Once one can sustain self-awareness continuously, developing wisdom becomes less difficult.

Here's a special reminder for readers: it's best not to practice mindfulness when driving or engaging in work that requires significant concentration. The process of mindfulness consumes a lot of mental energy and can easily lead to distraction and danger.

What if one lacks self-awareness?

In such cases, focus on cultivating concentration first. Once a certain level of concentration is achieved, it becomes easier to distinguish between mindfulness and wandering thoughts. Every wandering thought can be clearly recognized.

Do you have to practice each of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness equally?

Not necessarily! If you often engage in intellectual activities, you can focus on mindfulness of the mind. Be aware when you are angry, happy, jealous, depressed, or sleepy. Be aware when these emotions subside. Observe the changes in your psychological and emotional states, realizing their impermanence and uncontrollability over time.

Who should practice mindfulness of the body?

Especially those who are overly concerned with appearance and beauty. Observe your hair, nails, hair, teeth—do you consider these as "me"? Contemplate the composition of your body from skin, bones, muscles, tears, heart, liver, spleen, lungs, kidneys, bile, excretions, and so on—are these parts "me"? Even attractive men and women are composed of the same elements, can they still be considered lovable?

Be aware of changes in body posture. Why do they change? Because of discomfort! Unfortunately, there's no way to stop them.

And feelings?

Be aware of the happiness and pain that arise when encountering something cute or delightful. Be aware of the suffering that arises when facing something unpleasant or feared. Notice the lack of strong feelings when encountering something ordinary. Understand that all these feelings arise and pass away automatically—they cannot be prevented from arising or quickly disappearing.

Continuously observe and feel like this.

Practice mindfulness of the body when possible, mindfulness of the mind when suitable, mindfulness of feelings when appropriate, and alternate between them.

Readers might notice that I've skipped discussing phenomena. This aspect is relatively intricate and could be considered an advanced topic. Interested readers can refer to the Greater Discourse on the Foundations of Mindfulness for more information.

For those sincerely wishing to end suffering,

Practice the Four Foundations of Mindfulness diligently,

Exercise patience,

And you will gradually experience a reduction in suffering through practice.

You will clearly understand your own transformations,

Until the cessation of suffering.

May all beings find happiness and be free from suffering.