Abandoning the Hindrance of Sensual Desire
Our next focus was a passage from the Numerical Discourses of the Buddha about sensual desire. The teaching explained how desire arises from attending to the “mark of attractive” (nimitta, subanimitta in Pali).
- Desire expands when the mind clings to what it perceives as attractive.
- Mindfulness, however, allows us to notice this process without being swept away.
- Beginners may use the “unattractive sign” as a counter-technique, but with practice, simple awareness is often enough.
One participant asked if noticing the “mark of attractive” is sufficient. The answer: yes — when observed mindfully, this noticing itself becomes practice, breaking the automatic cycle of craving.
Purification and Corruption in Life
We also reflected on the Buddha’s teaching that beings can experience both purification and corruption.
- Pleasure in the five aggregates (body, feelings, perceptions, formations, consciousness) often leads to corruption, as it fuels desire.
- Pain and difficulty, on the other hand, can lead to purification, driving us to seek truth and freedom.
A poignant story illustrated this: a woman with three cancers was more concerned about her son’s addiction than her own suffering. Her pain gave rise to deeper insight and compassion.
This teaching reminded us that disasters or hardships, while painful, can become profound teachers if we meet them wisely.
Continuous Mindfulness in Daily Life
Finally, we discussed the importance of carrying mindfulness beyond formal meditation.
- Practice should continue “as long as one is awake.”
- Heedfulness during sitting is valuable, but true transformation comes when awareness pervades daily life.
- Even simple shifts — like brushing teeth with the less dominant hand — can awaken mindfulness in unexpected moments.
Observing different states of mind during meditation, whether calm or restless, was encouraged. The key is to keep noticing, without clinging or resisting.
Moving Forward
From stories, teachings, and reflections, our discussion circled back to one central theme: mindfulness is not separate from life. Whether we see practice as difficult, easy, or simply “drinking tea,” the real invitation is to live with awareness moment by moment.
Awakening Friends 