Learn to Observe and Assess Your Own Effort

Ruchun: Nowadays, whether I am contemplating worldly matters or Dharma teachings, I often find myself in a state of complete self-forgetfulness. Frequently, when others speak to me, I am unaware of what they are saying, entirely immersed in my own thoughts. Recently, while studying the Dharma teachings, I came across the instruction to "use the mind consciousness sparingly." I realized my current approach might be incorrect and decided to change my method. I am unsure if I have altered it improperly, but I can no longer find that good feeling and do not know what is happening.

Commentary: Frequently entering a state of self-forgetfulness during contemplation indicates the activity of both the mind consciousness (mano-vijñāna) and the mental faculty (manas) within this state. It is possible that the thinking of the mental faculty predominates over that of the mind consciousness. Training in this manner can be greatly beneficial for enhancing wisdom. If the wisdom of the mind consciousness is insufficient, it is acceptable to first train in conscious thinking. If the thinking of the mental faculty is dominant, then continue using the mental faculty.

However, it should be understood that this still does not constitute walking the correct path of practice. The Dharma being contemplated lacks a main thread; it is discursive thinking, contemplating whatever arises without yet directing efforts toward the cessation of self-view (satkāya-dṛṣṭi). Once you have trained well in this manner, then engage in specialized practice! You are practicing breath observation while not knowing the purpose, lacking comprehension of the Dharma, and having no concept of the cessation of self-view.