MENTAL FORMATIONS:

[Pravin Kumar]

Mental Formations:

Wisdom arises when one is fully mindful because the distractions of the unwholesome mental formations fall away. It's in being fully aware of this that the mind settles and allows you to live without obstructions...

There are mental formations of the mind that arise in each moment, they are wholesome, unwholesome, and neutral. The first is the unwholesome mental formation, this would be anything that leads to suffering. Wholesome mental formations are those that lead to peace and joy. The wholesome ones don't need a belief to be so, they just need to be investigated to see the truth of their wholesomeness. The third mental formation is probably the most difficult one because it's based in non judgement. It's neither wholesome nor unwholesome, it’s neutral. It arises for everyone in the present moment and its function is to just see what is. This mental formation doesn’t interpret what arises, nor does it attach to it. Think of seeing a stranger on a platform at a train station, without judging there’s simply no attachment and neutral remains the mental formation of the moment. Once there’s judgement, the mental formation of the moment changes.

Unwholesome mental formations arise and are attached to and although there is mindfulness of this to a degree because it is happening, it's labeled and thus attached to for the most part unconsciously. It's the focus of these mental formations that determine their outcome. Being fully mindful allows you to see, but without needing a label. Being neutral allows you to recognize (perceive) but not necessarily be fully mindful. Wisdom arises when you’re fully mindful because the distractions of the unwholesome mental formations fall away. It's in being fully aware of this that the mind settles and allows you to live without obstructions. Wisdom isn't something learned, it simply arises when you are disciplined enough to remain fully mindful in the present moment more often than not...

MICHAEL CUPO