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Two ways in which sati ("mindfulness") is R.A.D.

Britannica Dictionary definition of RAD


rad /ˈræd/  adjective

radder; raddest

Britannica Dictionary definition of RAD

[also more rad; most rad] US slang

: very appealing or good

The party was totally rad. [=awesome, cool]


Two ways in which sati ("mindfulness") is R.A.D. 

Here's a mnemonic I came up with to help you remember a correct definition of "mindfulness", which is usually taught in a form that's watered down, distorted, or just completely wrong. 

Why is it taught wrong? 

1. 'sati' is a loaded word. No single word is going translate and convey the full meaning. You will only know the meaning from studying many suttas on the subject. Similar to how "be good" is a vague and not very helpful teaching on its own. "Mindfulness" is similarly vague and not helpful.


R.A.D.  =  (R)emembers to (A)pply the (D)harma.  

sati ("mindfulness") is R.A.D. 

What is the Dharma? The Buddha's teaching that leads to nirvana.

Unless a specific Dharma is given in context, the default value of "Dharma", is the 4 frames of satipaṭṭhāna, as defined in SN 47.2


🐘Sammā-Sati: right remembering [of Dharma]

kāye kāyā-(a)nu-passī viharati
He lives continuously seeing the body as a body [as it truly is].
vedanāsu vedanā-(a)nu-passī viharati
He lives continuously seeing sensations as sensations [as it truly is].
citte cittā-(a)nu-passī viharati
He lives continuously seeing a mind as a mind [as it truly is].
dhammesu dhammā-(a)nu-passī viharati
He lives continuously seeing ☸Dharma as ☸Dharma [as it truly is].
(… elided refrain from each way…)
[in each of the 4 ways of remembering]:
ātāpī sampajāno satimā,
he is ardent 🏹, he has lucid discerning 👁, he remembers 🐘 [to apply relevant ☸Dharma].
vineyya loke abhijjhā-do-manassaṃ;
he should remove greed and distress regarding the world.


When is Sati applied? All the time, all postures, all activities

If you don't have the 'sati' switch flipped on all the time, you're in grave danger.

● SN 47.6 - 🔗🔊 6m, Sakuṇagghi: 🐦 (the) quail:
always stay in 4sp🐘, to avoid death

● SN 47.7 - 🔗🔊 6m, Makkaṭa: 🐒 (the) monkey:
always stay in 4sp🐘, to avoid death



Another way in which sati ("mindfulness") is R.A.D.

sati ("mindfulness") is R.A.D

RAD definition  #1:  R.A.D. = (R)emembers to (A)pply the (D)harma. 
RAD definition  #2:  R.A.D. = (R)adical (A)lignment with the (D)harma

The second definition of RAD works in to the fourth frame of satipaṭṭhāna:
 
dhammesu dhammā-(a)nu-passī viharati
He lives continuously seeing ☸Dharma as ☸Dharma [as it truly is].
ātāpī sampajāno satimā,
he is ardent 🏹, he has lucid discerning 👁, he remembers 🐘 [to apply relevant ☸Dharma].
vineyya loke abhijjhā-do-manassaṃ;
he should remove greed and distress regarding the world.

This means you bring your behavior, how you see, think, act, speak, in radical alignment with Dharma, which leads to peace, happiness, nirvana.

Instead of doing what most people usually do, acting in ways in disharmony with Dharma that leads to fake happiness which is actually suffering,  the obvious kinds of suffering, and endless rounds of rebirth.


♦ 84.
♦ na atta-hetu na parassa hetu,
Not for your own sake or that of another
na puttam-icche na dhanaṃ na raṭṭhaṃ.
desiring children, wealth, or nation,
♦ na iccheyya VAR a-dhammena samiddhim-attano,
Never wish for success by non-Dharmic [unjust] means,
sa sīlavā paññavā dhammiko siyā.
rather, be virtuous, wise, and act [justly] in accordance with Dharma.


♦ 86.
♦ ye ca kho sammadakkhāte,
But those who act
dhamme dhammā-(a)nu-vattino.
according to the perfectly taught Dhamma
♦ te janā pāramessanti,
will cross the realm of Death,
maccudheyyaṃ suduttaraṃ.
so difficult to cross.



Forum discussion




Re: Is sati a saṅkhāra? Or 'pure consciousness'?


knotting wrote: ↑Thu Dec 08, 2022 3:50 amHello friends,

I have been wondering about the development of sati.

It seems that many spiritual teachers (Buddhist or otherwise) refer to 'pure consciousness', 'pure awareness', 'knowing', 'original mind', etc., as the essence of meditation. They often identify this 'pure consciousness' with Nibbana itself. This seems to contradict the sutta teachings that all viññāṇa is conditioned.

On the other hand, if we accept that sati is simply a quality of mind which develops across time, then it seems to avoid the 'pure consciousness' dilemma. From this frame, sati has nothing to do with Nibbana in a metaphysical sense, it is only an expedient means to reach Nibbana.

Given that a sentient being is defined as a heap of the five aggregates, would it then be reasonable to say that sati is a type of saṅkhāra that one cultivates with practice? And, upon realization of arahantship, sati itself is no longer necessary, being the 'raft' which one leaves behind, having reached the goal beyond all the aggregates (including consciousness)?


Post by frank k » Sat Dec 10, 2022 9:30 am
Two ways in which sati ("mindfulness") is R.A.D.
http://notesonthedhamma.blogspot.com/20 ... ss-is.html

pre buddhist meaning of sati is the memory faculty, the ability to remember what was said and done long ago accurately.
The Buddha redefined it as described in article above.

Arahants still have 'sati' faculty after they realize nirvana. They still go around teaching, quoting the Buddha's words, and that requires, 'sati'.

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