Sati-Sampajanna.
#WednesdayWisdom
Sati — Mindfulness, self-collectedness, recollection. In some contexts, the word sati when used alone covers clear-comprehension.
Sampajanna — Self-awareness, self recollection, *clear comprehension, alertness.
[these definitions taken from Glossary: ‘The Collected Teachings of Ajahn Chah’ published for free distribution by ARUNA PUBLICATIONS and available for free download at https://forestsangha.org/teachings/books/the-collected-teachings-of-ajahn-chah
In formal meditation we train to ‘watch the mind’ but, since the mind is always with us and always trying to break away and do its own thing, we have to also maintain watch over it as we go about our daily lives.
We can make this easier for ourselves by recalling Sati and Sampajanna and using this combined process to look at what the mind is engaging in, ie. how it is reacting to a situation and investigate what effect this is having on us. This is especially, though not exclusively, helpful when we feel anger or aversion as it gives us a chance to guard our speech and actions, preventing us from saying or doing something which may harm ourselves or others.
We may think that it will take too long to carry out such analysis, since we are always in a hurry to respond, but this is why we go in the opposite direction and purposefully slow things down, we make time.
It doesn’t take long to pause and have a quick internal dialogue with yourself, for example:
Q. ‘Hmm, how does that thing she just said make me feel?’
A. ‘Frustrated, angry, why does she always have to comment? Who does she think she is?’
Q. ‘Okay, but how do I want to respond bearing in mind I don’t really want to escalate the situation?’
A. ‘Well, maybe she has problems of her own and I shouldn’t take it so personally? Perhaps I can let it go this time.’
This is a very simple example but shows how a momentary pulling back can serve to diffuse a potential confrontation, which may be the other person’s intention but, when our aim is to maintain peace of mind, the best thing we can do for ourself and the other person is to simply shut it down quickly, calmly and graciously.
There are many other avenues which can be explored from here including ego, pride etc. but, if we can begin to remember and use Sati and Sampajanna throughout the day it will soon become second nature and lead us towards the peace and liberation from suffering which we desire.
May this teaching lead you to happiness; may it help you grow in truth. May you be freed from the suffering of birth and death.
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