The Buddha's Path of Peace - A Step-by-Step Guide - Geoffrey Hunt
9. Right Mindfulness: Full Awareness
The Buddha's Path of Peace - A Step-by-Step Guide - Geoffrey Hunt
Geoffrey Hunt [+]
University of Surrey
He has taught meditation in schools, in a prison, a village for the elderly, and an alcohol rehabilitation centre. He has served the Dhamma in hospices, funerals and interfaith events. He has worked in Japan, Nigeria and Lesotho and is a writer and international speaker on ethical issues of health, science and advanced technology. He has published several books in the field of professional ethics. He is married to Rev. Beverley Hunt, an Anglican minister.
Description
We now get clearer about the awareness dimension of mindfulness (sati), a dimension that is usually translated as ‘full awareness’ or ‘clear comprehension’ (sampajañña). While mindfulness in some chosen circumstances may not be directed or even sustained, and may not be entirely free of judgment, it is not mindfulness at all if it is not inward awareness of experience. Full awareness (sampajañña) has been described by some as ‘reflexive’, meaning that it is a kind of mirroring, turning one’s attention inwards upon oneself. This makes mindfulness a special kind of awareness, namely, self-awareness. But even then there are several kinds of self-awareness. (The question of ‘self’ and ‘not-self’ is now appearing, and is addressed shortly. The first of the ‘Four Foundations of Mindfulness’ –mindfulness of body – is introduced here, and then developed in the next chapter (Chap 10.)