In the practice of the , the term "contemplation" refers to the act of looking inward. It is not an observation of the external world, but a deep, reflective gaze into one's own being. To truly practise this, you must direct your attention toward three fundamental aspects of your existence: your body, your heart, and your spirit.
What should one contemplate? Contemplate , contemplate the heart, and contemplate the spirit. By turning your awareness inward, you begin to see the reality of your condition. This is the first step toward liberation, as it allows you to detach from the illusions that bind you to the cycle of rebirth.
The Gathering of the Five Aggregates
When you contemplate the condition of this body, you must do so through the lens of the Five Aggregates, which are form, , , , and . This body is formed by the gathering of these Five Aggregates. Form refers to matter and the physical body, while feelings, perceptions, mental formations, and consciousness refer to the mental aspects.
The Five Aggregates give rise to all existence and all suffering; therefore, realising that the Five Aggregates are empty is the method to leave suffering behind. If you can let go of form, feelings, perceptions, mental formations, and consciousness—that is, let go of the desire for the physical body and material things, let go of sensations, thoughts, and the actions they cause, and let go of consciousness—you can utilise the nature of the . Thus, by letting go of the Five Aggregates, one can attain true freedom.
The Heart and the Ten Dharma Realms
Contemplate the heart. Where does the heart reside? The Ten Dharma Realms manifest because of the heart, revealing the six realms of rebirth and the Four Sacred Realms. Those who have realised their true nature are without a heart, having transcended all appearances. They are no longer controlled or dominated by the karmic forces of the six realms of rebirth, nor are they bound by the Four Sacred Realms.
Yet, those who have realised their true nature remain perfectly clear and aware of the six realms of rebirth and the Four Sacred Realms, perceiving them with absolute clarity.
The Spirit and the Laws of
Contemplate the spirit. Where does the spirit reside? The is the true self, also known as the intermediate state, through which the true self is reborn into the various realms. A spirit with a body resides within that form. Because of the various actions of the body, it is subject to the laws of karma and cause and effect: good causes lead to good results, and negative causes lead to negative results.
When this body undergoes retribution, it generates various forms of suffering due to the Five Aggregates. Through practice, one can understand the laws of karma and cause and effect, knowing that creating negative causes leads to painful results. Generally, when the body suffers from the pains of ageing and illness, or when mental issues such as emotional distress arise, the heart and spirit also suffer, leading to the creation of further negative karma through Body, Speech, and Mind.
The Radiance of Purity and Freedom
Those with a higher spiritual quality are less affected by physical suffering; they are able to maintain the clarity and wisdom of their spirit, and thus no longer create negative karma. By contemplating the condition of the body, heart, and spirit, one can remove the causes of suffering and avoid the painful results.
The practice of Purifying the body, heart, and spirit, leading to the realisation of one's true nature, is the time when one attains true purity and freedom. .
