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Introduction to Mindfulness - Dean Amory

Art and Benefits of Mindfulness Meditation

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Dukkha<br />

Dukkha is a state of psychological instability and the psyche will<br />

always move in a direction that leads <strong>to</strong> the resolution of this<br />

instability, if given the freedom <strong>to</strong> change. This au<strong>to</strong>matic tendency<br />

<strong>to</strong>wards resolution, I call Psychological Homeostasis and which<br />

corresponds <strong>to</strong> the same principle of physiological, biochemical and<br />

immunological homeostasis that occurs spontaneously in the body.<br />

However, the absolutely essential fac<strong>to</strong>r required for homeostasis <strong>to</strong><br />

work in either the body or the mind is FREEDOM: the freedom <strong>to</strong><br />

move and change in an intelligent direction that leads <strong>to</strong>wards the<br />

resolution of instability and the cessation of dukkha. <strong>Mindfulness</strong> is<br />

the perfection of relationship <strong>to</strong> our experience that brings this<br />

essential quality of freedom <strong>to</strong> dukkha and creates the ideal<br />

conditions in which emotional conflict can transform and resolve<br />

itself. A therapeutic space opens around the dukkha and the dukkha<br />

responds by changing, transforming in a direction that leads <strong>to</strong>wards<br />

resolution. We can feel this process transformation as it is occurring<br />

by moni<strong>to</strong>ring changes in feeling <strong>to</strong>ne. When transformation leads <strong>to</strong><br />

resolution there is a felt shift from dukkhavedana <strong>to</strong> sukhavedana, the<br />

more positive form of feeling energy. Eventually, when resolution is<br />

complete, the feeling energy changes further <strong>to</strong> a state of greater<br />

stability in which the felt sense is neutral, balanced and in equilibrium<br />

and this is called upekkhavedana. This latter quality of feeling is<br />

accompanied by a sense of well-being and vitality as energy is released<br />

back in<strong>to</strong> the psyche.<br />

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