Joseph discusses some of the more seductive energies highlighted by the Buddha.
These energetic fields operate on a broad spectrum, from the subtle identification with consciousness itself to the full-on emotional breakdown. Learning to recognize the basic nature and allure of these qualities through practice is crucial in successfully changing our relationship to them. An attitude of genuine interest and exploration promotes both the discovery and understanding of these hindrances. The cultivation of mindfulness brings space and stability to an otherwise volatile dynamic.
Many Buddhists do specifically undertake practices meant to cultivate mindfulness. Others may not, but it’s fair to say that the lion’s share of Buddhist practices help produce in us a greater sense of awareness and connection to the people and world around us. The very name “Buddha,” after all, means “Awakened One.” So you’ll find that while there’s an emphasis on mindfulness in among people who practice Vipassana or Insight meditation as taught in the foundational Theravada school of Buddhism, there are corollaries found in other Buddhist schools like Zen and Vajrayana.
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