Mindfulness Restraint of Emotions

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

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 Emotions," one brings their attention back to a good poise as in Mindfulness of Emotions practice.
    
    

  • Noting if unwholesome states such as greed, lust, or hatred are present in the emotions, one gently returns their emotional state to one of altruistic abiding.
    
    

  • Whether the unwholesome emotional state is viscerally compelling or discursively present, one gently returns their emotional state to one of altruistic abiding.
    
    

  • In resting, one allows the emotions to dissolve in rest.
    
    

  • In waking, one allows the emotional state to arise into altruistic abiding.
    
    

  • Arisen unwholesome emotional states are released. Wholesome emotional states are allowed to arise, communicating well-being and goodwill to the external environment and beings therein.
    
    

  • Eventually, one should begin to sense a reduction in appearance of and craving for heavy emotional states and an attenuation of clinging to emotional states as reinforcement of identity in daily life. Not expending oneself needlessly, qualities of faith, virtue, gratitude, and patience begin to naturally arise in the emotions, even in the presence of hardship and wrongdoing.
    
    

The fruition of Mindfulness Restraint of Emotions is called Placement of Emotions--letting the emotions move towards virtue, with expectations held neither too tight nor too loose, with a quality of restrained potential for the full release of wholesome gratitude. The emotions appear present and settled in stillness and movement.

May these words help the virtuous Asheyana practitioner to enjoy the Placement of Emotions with full mindfulness. May it be of benefit.