27 November 2011

Contemplation: Clear Observation 1

After reviewing the guidelines for practice, take this as your object of contemplation:

He who practices 'clear observation' should observe that all conditioned phenomena in the world are unstationary and are subject to instantaneous transformation and destruction; that all activities of the mind arise and are extinguished from moment or moment; and that, therefore, all of these induce suffering. He should observe that all that had been conceived in the past was as hazy as a dream, that all that is being conceived in the future will be like clouds that rise up suddenly. He should also observe that the physical existences of all living beings in the world are impure and that among these various filthy things there is not a single one that can be sought after with joy.


Asvaghosa, The Awakening of Faith, p. 100

**this is the first in a series of contemplations in Clear Observation from The Awakening of Faith**

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