The third foundation of mindfulness in Buddhism is “mindfulness of the mind” or “mindfulness of consciousness” (in Pāli, cittānupassanā). This practice involves observing and understanding the nature of the mind itself.
Under this contemplation, the Buddha mentions sixteen mental states grouped in eight pairs:
- the mind with lust and without lust;
- with aversion and without aversion;
- with delusion and without delusion;
- the cramped mind and the scattered mind;
- the developed mind and the undeveloped mind;
- the surpassable mind and the unsurpassable mind;
- the concentrated mind and the unconcentrated mind; and
- the freed mind and the bound mind.
For practical purposes it is sufficient at the outset to focus on the first six states, observing whether the mind is associated with any of the three unwholesome roots or is free from them. When a particular state of mind is present, it is noted merely as a state of mind, not identified as “I” or “mine.” Whether it is a pure state or a defiled state, a lofty state or a low state, there should be no elation or dejection, only a clear identification of the state, without clinging to the desired ones or resenting the undesired ones. As contemplation deepens, the seemingly solid, stable mind reveals itself to be a stream of mental acts flashing in and out of being, coming from nowhere and going nowhere, continuing in sequence without pause.