Mahasi technique and overcoming defilements
Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2012 3:15 pm
My main meditation practice is Vipassana as taught by Bhante Gunaratana, although I do use somewhat of the Mahasi Sayadaw technique of using some basic metal notes during "normal" life to try and maintain as much mindfulness as possible. My question regarding the Sayadaw technique of noting has to do with the fact that it seems like if you have some sort of nagging unwholesome mind state arise and you just see it as "thinking" or "anger", does that help you overcome that habitual mind state? Or should you go into it a little deeper as Bhante G suggests and notice it, determine why it arose and then apply a technique of countering it with Metta or something similar in order to over come it and create new wholesome habits of mind? After this is done a few times and you immediately recognize that mind state it's enough to just notice it arising and passing and it doesn't need to really be worked with in that way anymore.
I just dont see (or understand I suppose) how just noting "anxiety, anger etc..) can help you overcome them.
I just dont see (or understand I suppose) how just noting "anxiety, anger etc..) can help you overcome them.