The Contemplation of Feelings for Insight Development

Abstract

This article, “The contemplation of feelings for insight development” aims to study the meaning, characteristics, types of feelings (vedana), methods of knowing feelings, and the benefits of knowing feelings. knowing feelings is a crucial tool in Vipassana practice, enabling one to see the true nature of various emotions as they operate under the Three Characteristics (impermanence, suffering, and non-self). It fosters wisdom, enabling one to knowing feelings, cultivate a correct mindset, and appropriately alleviate greed, anger, and delusion. Furthermore, effective understanding of feelings can lead to Nirvana. Feeling (vedana) means the nature of sensation or the nature of experiencing emotions. There are three characteristics: pleasant sensations (sukhavedana), both physical and mental; unpleasant sensations (dukkha vedana), both physical and mental; and neutral sensations (adukkhamasukhavedana) or equanimity (upekkha vedana). Those practicing Vipassana through knowing feelings must initially possess a balanced combination of faith and wisdom, or concentration and effort. If these are lacking, they must be cultivated. Furthermore, a crucial element that must be cultivated intensely is mindfulness. This mindfulness enables one to be aware of emotions; when suffering arises, one acknowledges it; when happiness arises, one acknowledges it; when neutrality arises, one acknowledges it. The direct goal of this awareness is to cultivate conscious, complete, and informed awareness of all phenomena arising in every moment. This is beneficial in daily life and ultimately aims to eliminate greed, anger, delusion and ultimately being the path straight to nirvana