Mindfulness of Reflexive Action

In the Asheyana path, Calm Abiding practice is supported by one's work with the Eight Renunciations, having developed some space of mind in stepping back from bivalent perceptions.

Having worked with Calm Abiding within the context of the second Foundation of Mindfulness, Mindfulness of Senses, one can begin to work with this extension to the practice, "Mindfulness of Reflexive Action."

The purpose of this Mindfulness practice is to develop particular habits of mindfulness conducive to progress along the path within and beyond the context of formal practice.

What is Reflexive Action?

For the purposes of Asheyana practice, reflexive action is regarded as action that takes place in response to perceived conditions as if an involuntary physical reflex, apparently automatic, independent of conscious control. 

• Untrained Reflexive Action may appear impulsive, reckless, and likely resulting in unintended consequences. Examples of untrained reflexive action could include flailing one's arms when an insect flies near, stumbling forward when tripping, or jumping back when frightened.

• Trained Reflexive Action may appear skillful, extraordinary, and possibly magical to those unfamiliar or untrained in such action. Examples of trained reflexive action include simply riding a bike, driving a car safely in novel, inclement conditions, or actions related to one's skilled livelihood.

• Reflexive action is distinct from Habitual Action as habitual action may take place seemingly unconsciously but without any particular stimulus.

• Reflexive action interrupted at any point in the process of completion is called Interrupted Reflexive Action.

In daily life, before engaging in trained reflexive action, recall "Mindfulness of Reflexive Action" and briefly practice a few moments of calm abiding. Then engage in the action.

• Engaging in the trained reflexive action, reflect upon the experience of the action using one's practice-developed mindfulness. Performing this action, what is the experience of body? What is the sensory experience? What is the quality of mind? Where is one's attention? What is one aware of? What role do the senses play in directing one's trained reflexive action?
  
  

• Allow mindfulness to closely observe the trained reflexive action without interrupting the action or slowing it down. Is mindfulness continuous throughout the action? Or are there gaps in mindfulness? Simply notice and return to the action without too much analysis. 

• Concluding the trained reflexive action, reflect upon the after-action experience using one's practice-developed mindfulness. What is the feeling of having engaged in trained reflexive action? Be curious about the quality of experience itself rather than evaluation of the action. 

Next, in daily life, prepare for entering into untrained reflexive action. Recall "Mindfulness of Reflexive Action" and briefly practice a few moments of calm abiding throughout the day. Then engage in daily life.

• When a moment of untrained reflexive action arises, reflect upon the experience of the action using one's practice-developed mindfulness. Engaged in this action, what is the experience of body? What is the sensory experience? What is the quality of mind? Where is one's attention? What is one aware of? What role do the senses play in directing one's untrained reflexive action?
  
  

• Allow mindfulness to closely observe the untrained reflexive action without interpreting the action or manipulating the experience. Is mindfulness present at some point in the action? At what point does mindfulness arise? Simply notice and return to mindfulness without too much analysis.

• Concluding the untrained reflexive action, reflect upon the after-action experience using one's practice-developed mindfulness. What is the feeling of having engaged in untrained reflexive action? Be curious about the quality of experience itself rather than evaluation of the action.
  
  

Explore Mindfulness of Reflexive Action.

• • Be curious and reflect, how does the experience of reflexive action compare with the experience of volitional action?
    
    

  • How does to experience of trained reflexive action compare with the experience of untrained reflexive action?
    
    

  • How much activity in daily life includes reflexive action?
    
    

  • Experiment with the main practice steps, but introducing Interrupted Reflexive Action.
    
    

    • For example, while walking aimlessly for a moment, stop mid-stride, resisting any potential impulse to come to a balanced stance. What is it like, having the reflexive action interrupted by oneself? Focus on fully experiencing the interrupted action using one's practice-developed mindfulness.
      
      

    • Be mindful of the case where conditions outside of one's control interrupt the reflexive action. What is it like, having the reflexive action interrupted by conditions outside of one's control? Focus on fully experiencing the interrupted action using one's practice-developed mindfulness.
      
      

By practicing "Mindfulness of Reflexive Action," one can begin to see through direct experience the quality of reflexive action, and the difference between trained and untrained reflexive action. One can also begin to see for oneself how one responds to interruptions in reflexive action, due to oneself and due to conditions outside of one's control. Doing so, the possibility presents itself of seeing reflexive action impersonally, distinct from a notion of "me" and "my reactions."

The fruition of Mindfulness of Reflexive Action is called Poise of Reflexive Action--a good posture in the presence of reflexive action, with visceral responses neither denied nor identified with, with attention to one's reflexive action and its experienced results.

May these words help the conscious Asheyana practitioner choose to hold the Poise of Reflexive Action, with full mindfulness. May it be of benefit.