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How staying in the present moment(here and now) is different from awareness and mindfulness, and what according to you is better?

Suraj Kumar
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  • it could be helpful if Asker could expand in detail the specific meanings intended to be implied by the terms, since there can be varied meanings encountered. thank you :) – M H Oct 22 '20 at 20:06

3 Answers3

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Good householder "Son of liberty",

might help, once on the path section of concentration.

Being, aware, actually means eating, eating off, burning away. If that isn't done in higher spheres, then it's just eating of ones merits.

As for the place where he might be: sati, mindfulness toward ones duties in ones relation, toward Sila, toward Generosity, toward reflecting backwards.

Keeping precepts in mind, train right there, will make the further way accessible by itself (given causes).

And right concentration has right mindfulness (remembering, keeping in mind of what is kusala) as it's prerequisite.

(And pull the hands out of your trousers, and stand straight, as such is a good sign that one prefers eating off past merits over the sati of a son of liberty)

[Note that this isn't given for stacks, exchange, other world-binding trades and gains, wrong concentration, but for exit from this wheel]

Samana Johann
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  • The translation of "anupassi" as "remaining focused" in the 1st link is wrong & foolish. "Anupassi" means "to watch closely" and is a fruit of mindfulness. The definition of "mindfulness" ("keeping in mind") in the 2nd link appears reasonable. – Dhamma Dhatu Oct 22 '20 at 06:13
  • Wrong and foolish is to belive being smart... a common micca-sati of those bond to households an Mara. Yes, a matter of missing anupassi as focusing on gain. Maybe possible to watch closely in this regard. – Samana Johann Oct 22 '20 at 06:17
  • Best to not revile Noble Ones. It leads to hell. Thanissaro was wrong regarding "anupassi". The Noble Ones are correct. The Buddha said understanders & explainers of the True Dhamma in the world are rare. – Dhamma Dhatu Oct 22 '20 at 06:18
  • Hopless fool, lacking anupassi. – Samana Johann Oct 22 '20 at 06:19
  • Thanissaro was wrong. Whatever Thanissaro says contrary to Dhammadhatu is wrong. Dhammadhatu is The Path. – Dhamma Dhatu Oct 22 '20 at 06:22
  • If having a little wisdom one would not see any different between "staying (right focused" and "watch closely (to the right)", but the fool seeks to accumulate knowledge just for gain and to pave his way downwardly. – Samana Johann Oct 22 '20 at 06:23
  • Sure he would catch the point of rebuke, his discerment and anupassi very weak and attation toward gain. – Samana Johann Oct 22 '20 at 06:25
  • No sati for one without silas... – Samana Johann Oct 22 '20 at 06:26
  • But good to have a sample of what was told in the answer. – Samana Johann Oct 22 '20 at 06:26
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    nice answers & comments, also, if could please write with a little less complicated English style & with more plainly connected pronouns(or less usage of pronouns, eg he/ his/ one ) & determiners, and meaning of the term attation would be appreciated. thank you :) – M H Oct 22 '20 at 10:43
  • That's as well a sample of improper attention... and lack of virtue thought good to be cool rather then restrain. – Samana Johann Oct 22 '20 at 13:11
  • Are you using automatic translation tool? Then OK, fine. But if you actually speak English, then could you please rewrite your answer more clearly? For me it's hard to understand what you are saying, and how is that related to the question. Thank you in advance! – chang zhao Oct 26 '20 at 16:49
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In Buddhism, the official terminology is mindfulness (sati) & clear comprehenshion/ready wisdom (sampajjana).

Mindfulness means 'to remember' or 'keep in mind'. Sampajanna refers to whatever wisdom or right view is required in relation to a specific situation.

In summary, mindfulness remembers to keep sampajanna (ready/situational wisdom or clear comprehension) in the mind.

Staying in the present moment (here and now) or samadhi (concentration) can be a result of mindfulness & clear-comprehension, as described in the sutta MN 131.

Alternately, staying in the present moment without wisdom can be a type of concentration that is both wrong and short-lived. If there is no right mindfulness & clear-comprehension, concentration in the present moment cannot last long nor can develop into genuine samadhi.

Dhamma Dhatu
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  • nice answer; also, if could further expand the definitions and explanations of the terms/concepts, & also with inclusion of additional English synonyms would be appreciated. thank you :) – M H Oct 22 '20 at 10:28
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which is better staying in present moment or being aware?

To counterpose such sentences they should have particular definitions.

I think that "staying in the present moment" is used as a synonym to "being aware", because minds of people usually aren't collected, i.e. they are scattered, distracted. They tend to be involved in repetitive thoughts about past mistakes or joys, future plans, anticipations and fears, etc.

For example, when you are eating, you are in scattered thoughts rather than here; when you are walking, you want to be at the destination already. So the physical body is walking, but mentally you are not quite here.

Perhaps it isn't compatible with living truly happily, because if you want to be happy (or to be in nirvana), it would mean you would be living through this very moment, with satisfaction. Otherwise you just waste the time of your life, throwing moment after moment away.

In nirvana you would use — live through — every moment with complete dedication, completeness; not escaping the present into thoughts, daydreaming etc.

Thus focus on this real perception, let your mind be collected: that's a starting point for actual awareness and mindfulness. That's re-educating your mind, pulling it back from habits of being unaware or half-aware.

chang zhao
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    Welcome back! We missed you /|\ - please stay and post more answers. – Andriy Volkov Oct 26 '20 at 17:32
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    Thank you @andrei-volkov ... with knowledgeable & kind people like you and others here, there's not so much need in that. (I work in other places helping people with Dharma though). – chang zhao Oct 26 '20 at 17:51
  • @changzhao Thank you for your answer, I followed your other answers in quora and BSE, your answers are deep, simple, and practical, I am highly impressed by your answers. I was searching for such a teacher from so long who can answer the problems in everyday life.. Please visit regularly here, we need your wisdom. – Suraj Kumar Oct 29 '20 at 14:15