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Introduction to Mindfulness - Dean Amory

Art and Benefits of Mindfulness Meditation

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5. Resolution<br />

The final step of MMT is RESOLUTION. Resolution is said <strong>to</strong> have<br />

occurred when the emotional energy that powers a pattern of<br />

emotional reactivity has dissipated and returned <strong>to</strong> the psyche,<br />

providing energy for new and more positive responses.<br />

Resolution is the state of equilibrium, accompanied by a felt sense of<br />

uppekhavedana, which although neutral can lead <strong>to</strong> very euphoric<br />

feelings that can be simply described as the taste of freedom.<br />

Any form of emotional suffering, or dukkha, as it is called in<br />

Buddhism, represents a state of instability and conflict in the psyche.<br />

The psyche hates instability and will always try <strong>to</strong> resolve dukkha if<br />

given the freedom <strong>to</strong> change. <strong>Mindfulness</strong> provides the therapeutic<br />

space and freedom in which transformation and resolution can occur.<br />

The guiding principle throughout MMT and the process of<br />

transformation and eventual resolution of emotional pain is called<br />

satipanna, which means the wisdom-intelligence that arises with<br />

mindfulness. This is our innate intelligence that we all possess and<br />

which is unique <strong>to</strong> each moment of experience. Just as water seems <strong>to</strong><br />

have an innate intelligence in its relentless journey <strong>to</strong> be united with<br />

the ocean, so the psyche has an innate intelligence that will always<br />

move <strong>to</strong>wards the resolution of dukkha in all its forms.<br />

<strong>Mindfulness</strong> provides the conditions of freedom and openness in<br />

which satipanna will naturally direct and guide all the subtle changes<br />

at the experiential level that lead <strong>to</strong> the resolution of dukkha. This is<br />

also described in Buddhism as the awakening or living real-time<br />

insight in<strong>to</strong> the Four Noble Truths: Awakening <strong>to</strong> dukkha, the cause<br />

of dukkha, the state of non-dukkha and The Path of <strong>Mindfulness</strong> that<br />

leads <strong>to</strong> the resolution of dukkha.<br />

We start with recognizing dukkha, we form a relationship with the<br />

dukkha with mindfulness and we allow the dukkha <strong>to</strong> unfold, change<br />

and transform itself in the direction that leads <strong>to</strong> its cessation. This<br />

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