Abstract:
Meditation (bhāvanā), a mind based process in its entirety, is the wholesome
development of mind. The true nature of mind can be known only through the
development of meditation. Nevertheless, the nature of mind, its frailties and
enormous potentials should be exposed prior to the initiation of meditation.
Therefore, gaining a certain awareness of the nature of untamed mind is a
prerequisite of Buddhist meditation.
Mind is defined in Buddhism as a non-physical phenomenon which perceives,
thinks, recognizes, experiences and reacts to the environment. The Dhammapada
says that mind travels long journeys, it travels alone, it is bodiless and lives
in a cave; those who subdue this mind are liberated from the bonds of Māra.
The Buddha says there is no phenomenon that comes and goes so quickly as
mind. Psychologically, mind, in terms of its nature of a worldly individual, is
constantly flickering, fickle, throbbing, trembling and wavering.
The mind, the most dynamic force in the world can either bring peace and
happiness or unhappiness and destruction to oneself, society and the world
since it is endowed both with frailties as well as potentialities. The Citta Sutta
says that the world is led by the mind, by the mind it is swept away. The
Aṅguttara Nikāya reveals that the untamed and unrestrained mind conduces
to great loss but the mind that is tamed and restrained conduces to great
bliss. Ill-directed mind cannot pierce ignorance, draw knowledge and realize
Nibbāṇa but the well-directed mind is capable of piercing ignorance, drawing
knowledge and realizing Nibbāṇa. Hence, a substantial pre-awareness of
intrinsic nature, frailties and potentials of mind is an obligatory prerequisite of
utmost significance for a flourishing initiation of Buddhist meditation.
