MEDITATIONS ON THE NATURE OF MIND

PRELIMINARIES AND DEDICATION

In order to make the most out of the following analytical meditations, it is important to realise that one should not only observe the analytical mind, but also the emotions and feelings that come up. Observe the thoughts, but do not get involved in them, just look and let go.
It is strongly advised to start with a good motivation beforehand, to take a few minutes to calm down (doing e.g. a brief breathing meditation is very good) and to dedicate the positive energy afterwards.
For this, the following traditional prayers can be used, but feel free to use any other positive and unselfish thoughts:

Taking Refuge

I go for refuge to the Buddha,
I go for refuge to the Dharma,
I go for refuge to the Sangha. (3x)

Setting the Mind to Enlightenment

By virtue of giving and so forth,
may I become a Buddha for the benefit of all sentient beings. (3x)

4 Immeasurables

May all sentient beings have equanimity, free from attachment, aggression and prejudice.
May they be happy, and have the causes for happiness.
May they be free from suffering and causes for suffering.
May they never be separated from the happiness that is free from suffering. (3x)

7-Limbed Prayer

Respectfully I prostrate with body, speech and mind;
I present clouds of every type of offerings, actual and imagined;
I declare all the negative actions I have done since beginningless time,
and rejoice in the merit of all Aryas and ordinary beings.
Please teacher, remain until cyclic existence ends
and turn the wheel of Dharma for all sentient beings.
I dedicate the virtues of myself and others to the great Enlightenment.

Dedication

By this virtue may I soon
reach a Guru-Buddha-state,
and lead each and every being
to that state of Buddhahood.

May the precious Bodhicitta
not yet born, arise and grow
may that born have no decline
but increase forever more.

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WHAT IS THE MIND?

- Look at the mind, not the contents; what is thinking, feeling, experiencing?
- Does the mind have shape, colour, where is it?
- Where do thoughts come from, where are they, where do they go?
- Where does it go from here? Does it stop at death?

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CONTINUITY OF MIND

- Memories from one hour ago, this morning, part of the same mindstream?
- Memories from dreams last night or yesterday, same mindstream?
- Go back days, months, years, as far as you can, birth? Open your mind
- Come back in the here and now; experience the stream of awareness.
- Where does it go from here?
- Does it stop at death?

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SPACE BETWEEN THOUGHTS

- Try to relax and feel like watching a programme on television which you are not really interested in, you are only interested in how it is made.
- Look at your stream of thoughts with no interest for the contents.
- Now try to find the moments that one thought ends and the next one starts.
- Try to focus on the space between thoughts.
- When you manage to do this, hold this experience as long as possible.

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