Introduction to Mindfulness_349810_bookemon_ebook.pdf Coaching and Practising Mindfulness | Page 33

experience of transcendence. Rather than breaking through to
something divine, however, this experience results from a radical
transformation of the mind. Consciousness itself, though
conditioned, can be purified to such an extent that it entirely
understands itself and its conditioning. The result is not only a deep
sense of personal well-being, but also the possibility of a more
evolved way of being human.

...in the Buddha’s view, the body and mind can be the vehicle for a
profound experience of transcendence.
The primary interest of this tradition is the quality of consciousness in
the present moment. How exactly is the mind and body manifesting
here and now? Consciousness arises from a whole network of
interdependent factors, including all of the details of our genetic
makeup and personal history. Each moment of consciousness, in
turn, has an impact upon our subsequent beliefs, feelings, and
behaviors. Knowing both the causes and the effects of a moment of
consciousness allows us to participate intentionally in the process of
living; to steer a course away from suffering and toward healthier
states.
What the Buddha saw with great lucidity on the night of his
awakening was the workings of his own mind. His insights have
profound implications for modern psychotherapy, as they reveal how
our minds construct our experience moment by moment, and how
these constructions can lead to suffering.
The following description is not for the faint-hearted—it is a radically
new psychology for many readers, and somewhat complicated, so we
encourage you to consider it slowly.

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