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Mindfulness of Consciousness

by Philip L. Jones

Mindfulness of consciousness continues the effort to broaden the field awareness and to see more clearly how our minds function. Consciousness is a series of moments of awareness of the objects that come in contact with our five senses and our mind. It is like a motion detector hooked up to a light; when it is triggered it illuminates the object that is in its sense field, such as the visual field.Consciousness can only be known through the mental factors that arise with it and that "color" it. For instance there can be consciousness with generosity and consciousness with greed and also consciousness with loving-kindness and consciousness with hatred or aversion; therefore this practice is sometimes referred to as mindfulness of mind-states. As we bring mindfulness to these moments of consciousness, we begin to loosen our identification with them and strengthen our ability to carry mindfulness into our lives.

Practicing Mindfulness of Consciousness

• Settle into your sitting position with an erect but relaxed posture.

• Take several deep breaths. Then allow your breath to flow in its normal, ever changing manner.

• With a quality of spacious awareness, rest your attention in the feeling of the breath flowing in and flowing out either at the tip/rims of your nostrils or in your chest or abdomen, wherever the sensations are most predominant.

• If a moment of consciousness arises and is strong enough to disrupt your consciousness of the breath, rest your awareness in that new state, allowing yourself to be aware of what the state is, such as joyful mind or angry mind or contented mind, until it subsides.

• If the mind-state is one of strong emotion, such as anger or lust, notice what it feels like in the body. Is there tightness, burning, a change in energy? Where is it located?

• While holding this consciousness with mindfulness, note whether it is a type of consciousness that will lead to more peace in your life or whether it will lead to more struggle and difficulty. These are sometimes referred to as skillful and unskillful states of mind. Please remember that you do not need to judge these mind-states, simply bring mindfulness to them.

• If another moment of consciousness arises and is strong enough to hold your attention, continue to practice with it. If this is not the case, simply return to mindfulness of the consciousness of the sensations of breathing.

• If you become lost in thought and you notice it, appreciate that moment of noticing, of waking up and being mindful. Then gently return your attention to the breath and continue to follow it.

• If you ever feel confused about what you are experiencing or what you should do or if you find a mind-state too difficult to be with, simply return your attention to the breath.

• Continue this practice until your meditation period is over.

• During the day, take a few moments to be mindful ofyour breath, body sensations, feeling and consciousness. This is a good way of helpingyourself to settle down into the present moment and to bring your meditation practice into your everyday life.