The second foundation of mindfulness in Buddhism is “mindfulness of feelings” or “mindfulness of sensations” (in Pāli, vedanānupassanā). This practice focuses on the mindful observation and understanding of feelings or sensations. The key aspects of this foundation include:
- Observing Different Types of Feelings: Noticing and being aware of the different types of feelings as they arise. These are typically categorized as pleasant, unpleasant, or neutral.
- Understanding the Nature of Feelings: Recognizing that feelings are impermanent and constantly changing. This understanding helps in not clinging to pleasant feelings or developing aversion towards unpleasant feelings.
- Mindfulness of the Source of Feelings: Being aware of how these feelings arise in response to sensory contact – through the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and mind.
- Non-Attachment to Feelings: Developing an attitude of non-attachment and equanimity towards all types of feelings, understanding that they are not self, but rather passing phenomena.
- Reflecting on the Three Marks of Existence: Through the observation of feelings, practitioners gain insight into the three marks of existence – impermanence (anicca), suffering (dukkha), and non-self (anattā).
Mindfulness of feelings is an essential practice in Buddhist meditation, as it helps in understanding how attachment to pleasant feelings and aversion to unpleasant feelings are sources of suffering. This practice follows the first foundation, mindfulness of the body (kāyānupassanā), and precedes the third foundation, mindfulness of the mind (cittānupassanā).