Mindfulness Restraint of Mind

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 third Foundation of Mindfulness, Mindfulness of Mind, one can begin to work with this extension to the practice, "Mindfulness Restraint of Mind."

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

During a session of Calm Abiding or in daily life, one begins to focus on the fifth Point of Practice, that of the Mind:

• • Recalling "Mindfulness Restraint of Mind," one brings their mind back to a good poise as in Mindfulness of Mind practice.
    
    

  • Noting if agitation, indecision, dullness, restlessness, or worry is present in the mind, one brings their attention to the underlying mental feeling.
    
    

  • Noting if mental feeling is present, one brings their attention to the underlying mental contact between the mental object and the mental faculty that apprehends the object.
    
    

  • Noting if mental contact is present, one brings their attention to the underlying meeting of consciousness, mental faculty, and mental object at a placement of the mental faculty, such as the forehead or the heart,
    
    

  • One allows mental contact naturally, without reaching for or inviting mental contact.
    
    

  • In resting, one allows the mind to fully withdraw into rest.
    
    

  • In waking, one allows the mind to arise to point of kindly facilitating between thought, speech, and action and the external environment.
    
    

  • Tension, holding, or sense of urgency is released from the mind. Phenomena such as emotions, perceptions, or ideas are gently and spaciously held, communicating peace and ease to the external environment and beings therein.
    
    

  • Eventually, one should begin to sense a reduction in craving for agitating mental states and an attenuation of clinging to mental states for a sense of identity in daily life. Not expending oneself needlessly, an intuitive organization begins to naturally gather in the mental faculty, even in the presence of dissonance and vacillation.
    
    

The fruition of Mindfulness Restraint of Mind is called Placement of Mind--letting the mind concentrate peacefully, with mind held neither too tight nor too loose, with a quality of restrained potential for the full extension of the mental faculty. The mind appears calm and collected in stillness and movement.

May these words help the collected Asheyana practitioner to peaceably abide in Placement of Mind with full mindfulness. May it be of benefit.