Awareness. Thinking. Mindfulness. We use these terms frequently, but we don’t always know what they are, how they differ, and how they are related. Over the next two weeks, this short series on the mind will explore these three topics in more detail. To do this, I will use three main metaphors to help us ponder some details and differences in these concepts. Specifically, I’ll equate awareness with the sky, thinking with the clouds, and mindfulness with the sun.
The aim of this series is not to create an intellectual understanding of these mental aspects, but to use the ideas as skillful means for building mental spaciousness, calm, and courage. When we are calm and courageous and free, our actions are much more likely to be beneficial to others and ourselves. When we are agitated, trapped by fear, or caught by our afflictive perceptions, feelings, or thoughts, we are much more likely to cause harm in the situations we encounter.
The way these concepts become useful in building calm, spaciousness, and courage is through meditation. Understanding ideas like awareness, thinking, and mindfulness is a start, but it is too abstract. Each of us needs to explore and understand our awareness, our thoughts, and our experience of mindfulness. By becoming grounded in contemplation, we will give ourselves the opportunity and ability to do this exploration of our own lives.
Our own lives are the instruments with which we experiment with truth.
— Thich Nhat Hanh
The three essays in this series will be concise. In a few paragraphs, I hope to offer some fresh insights into these common concepts, and to provide concrete practices for deepening your own insight into your awareness, thoughts, and mindfulness.
You might enjoy this contemplation on mindfulness and gratitude.
https://petersironwood.com/2019/05/06/corn-on-the-cob/