Selective Thinking
Thought Discrimination

Following is a list of good thoughts in contrast with bad thoughts. The bad thoughts are mainly the five emotional disturbances (nivarana), and the good thoughts are mainly the opposites of these disturbances. As we begin meditation, the good thoughts are practiced in reference to the Buddha, Dhamma, and the Sangha. Next we learn to cultivate the good thoughts by repeated practice of good thoughts while avoiding bad thoughts.


Thought Discrimination



Meaning of Good Thoughts

DISPASSION: is the opposite of passion. Passion is an emotional reaction to a pleasant sensation, which is also an emotional excitement. It occurs unconsciously, depending on conditions. It occurs only when the necessary conditions are present. Passion is also self-centred and possessive. It leads to conflict and unhappiness. Dispassion, on the other hand, is the absence of emotional excitements. It relaxes the body, and calms the mind. It makes one comfortable, peaceful, and happy. It is unselfish, self sacrificing, and is interested in the welfare of others.


COMPASSION: is to be interested in the welfare of all beings, without making a distinction between oneself, and others. It recognizes that other’s happiness or unhappiness is as important as one’s own. Compassion broadens the mind, resulting in freedom from self-centredness, worry and unhappiness.


HAPPINESS: is distinct from pleasure. Pleasure is a sensation arising from stimulation of the senses, and is accompanied by tension and emotional excitement. It is a disturbance of the body and mind. True happiness, on the other hand, is the absence of emotional excitement. It is also unselfish, while pleasure is self-centred. Happiness is a selfless freedom from worries and anxieties. It is a pleasant state of undisturbed, relaxed, calm, peaceful, happiness.


TRANQUILLITY: is a state of relaxation of the body and calmness of mind, due to the absence of emotional disturbances. It is a peaceful stillness of mind, which is conducive to clarity of thought, and the gaining of insight into the realities of life.


IN-SIGHT: is the introspective awareness of the inner mental process. When the calm and tranquil mind is turned inwards, it becomes aware of what is going on within. It becomes aware of the unconscious reaction of the body to environmental stimulation of the senses. The reaction is seen in its four stages: perception, conception, emotion, and action. This stops the unconscious reaction, because the unconscious reaction cannot continue while it is conscious. The mind has become conscious of the unconscious process; the determinism of the experience is seen, resulting in seeing the instability, insecurity, and impersonality of the experience. This means the absence of a self or personality is understood. Then one knows that the “Experience”, which is determined by conditions, is all there is. The objective “world” and the subjective “self” are but products of this impersonal experience of perception. This “experience” of “existence” is seen to be unstable, insecure and impersonal, and therefore not desirable. This “under-standing” is “in-sight”.


Therefore introspective awareness leads to dispassion, which leads to compassion, which leads to happiness, which leads to tranquillity, which leads to introspection, which leads to understanding of what is inside, which is in-sight. Insight begins the cyclical sequence again. And so the mind continues recycling this way until it is fully awakened from “the dream of existence”.