Aug 5, 2020

Be alert and vigilant



by Sayagyi U Goenka

(excerpts from an article in the Vipassana Research Institute newsletter)

Mara’s sole intention is to keep beings trapped in the field of mind and matter, his domain of craving, aversion and delusion. He does not like people meditating to liberate themselves. So he uses all types of cunning and tricks – arousing impurities in one’s mind - to disturb or stop meditation. Mara wants beings to continue in his realm of the cycle of birth and death. [Mara - a very deluded celestial being / personification of impurities in one's mind].

Vipassana meditators should remain constantly vigilant of Mara – that is, the arising of defilements in one’s mind. To conquer Mara, just be aware of sensations arising and passing away, from moment to moment.

As soon as you become vigilant, Mara runs away. His army of impurities disappear. As soon as the owner of the house wakes up, the thief runs away.

Be vigilant of any impure thought when it starts arising in the mind. Be alert. The enemy has entered.

Be aware, “Oh, passion (lust) has arisen in the mind”. That puts a brake on impure thoughts gathering momentum in the mind. If your mind is overcome with intense passion, be aware of this truth of the state of the mind: "my mind is filled with passion". Just objectively be aware - and be alert to observe sensations anywhere in the body. If the disturbance is too severe, observe the breath.

Observe and understand this arising and passing away for a few moments, with equanimity. Passion disappears like a thief who has been seen, “O Mara, I have seen you.” The same goes for anger, ego, jealousy and other impurities in the mind.

As soon as impure thoughts arise, be alert to immediately observe the bodily sensations that arise with these thoughts. The defilement loses strength and gradually passes away.

But do you do that? You are not alert. Instead, as soon as impurities arise in the mind, you start multiplying them by rolling in those defiled thoughts. There is no trace of awareness. By rolling in impure thoughts, you get overwhelmed with the impurity and repeat some unwholesome action.

After some time, you become aware and repent this foolishness of again falling in the net of Mara. But how does that help? Only your awareness is instrumental in overcoming Mara if you catch him approaching with his cunning tricks. To repent afterwards is futile. Better to be alert and vigilant every moment.

Be liberated from the tricks of Mara by removing impurities through Vipassana practice - through awareness and equanimity to arising, passing sensations.

Reap the benefits with the practice of observing sensations with equanimity from moment to moment. This is for the welfare of all beings.

Be alert and vigilant.

May all beings be liberated.
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