Nevertheless, their efforts are mainly directed to obtaining their physical well-being by material means. Happiness however, is conditioned by attitudes of mind, and yet only a few persons give
real thought to mental devolopment, while fewer still practice mind-training in earnest.
To illustrate this point, attention may be drawn to the commonplace habits of cleaning and tidying up one's body, the endless pursuits of food, clothing and shelter, and the tremendous
technological progress achieved to raise the material standard of living, to improve the means of transportation and communication, and to prevent and cure diseases and ailments. All those
striving are, in the main concerned with the care and nourishment of the body, and it must be recognized that they are essential. However, these human efforts and achievements can not possibly
alleviate or eradicate the suffering associated with old age and death, domestic infelicity and economic troubles, in short, with non-satisfaction of wants and desires. Suffering of this nature can
not be overcome only by mind-training and mental development.
It thus becomes clear that the right way must be sought to train, stabilize, and purify the mind. This way is found in the "Maha satipattana Sutta " a well known discoures of the BUDDHA,
delivered well over 2600 years ago. The Buddha declared thus: This is the sole way for the purification of beings, for the overcoming of sorrow and lamentation, for the destroying of pain and
grief, for reaching the right path, for the realization of Nibbana, namely the four foundations of mindfulness.
The four foundations of mindfulness are :
1. The contemplation of the body
2. The contemplation of feelings
3. The contemplation of mind
4. The contemplation of mind objects.
Obviously, this way should be followed by those in search of happiness, with a view to getting rid of the impurities of mind, which are the cause of their suffering.
If a person were asked whether he wished to overcome sorrow and lamentation, he would surely say "Yes". Then he indeed everybody should practice the four foundations of mindfulness.
If a person were asked whether he wished to destroy pain and grief, he would not hesitate to say "Yes". Then he - indeed everybody- should practice the four foundations of mindfulness.
If he were asked whether he wished to reach the right path and realize "Nibbana", absolute freedom from old age, decay and death and from all suffering, he would certainly say "Yes".
Then he - indeed everybody- should practice the four foundations of mindfulness.
How should one practice the four foundations of mindfulness?? In the "Maha Satipattana sutta" the Budda said: "Dwell practicing body contemplation , felling contemplation, mind
contemplation, mind- object contemplation," Without the guidance of well-qualified teacher, however, it will not easy for an average person to practice these contemplation in a systematic
manner in order to make progress towards development of concentration and insight.
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