Date: 11/16/2024 11/17/2024
Location: Star River Meditation Center
Teacher: Yunquan Huang
Sitting Meditation
Knowing the True Nature of the Mind
The heart of Buddhist practice is not controlling thoughts or suppressing emotions, but understanding what the mind truly is. When we clearly know the nature of the mind, we free ourselves from the grip of thoughts and emotions and live with clarity, ease, and wisdom.
1.What Is the True Nature of the Mind?
The Buddha described the mind in many ways, but its essence can be summarized in three qualities:
1.The mind is impermanent
Thoughts arise and vanish, emotions rise and fall, sensations constantly change.
The mind never stays the same for even one moment.
2.The mind is not-self
Thoughts are not “me,” emotions are not “me,” and even awareness is not a fixed “self.”
The mind’s activities arise from conditions and have no solid owner.
3.The mind is aware
Though its content changes, the mind has an innate clarity that knows all experience.
The essence of the mind is not thoughts or emotions,
but the awareness that sees them.
2.Why Do We Fail to Recognize the Mind’s Nature?
1.Overwhelmed by thoughts
Thoughts appear endlessly, pulling us away from awareness.
2.Mistaking emotions as self
“I am angry,” “I am afraid”—
we identify with temporary states.
3.Strong habits
Conditioned reactions operate automatically.
4.Lack of awareness training
The mind never stops moving, yet we seldom observe it.
3.How to Directly Experience the Nature of the Mind
1.Observe thoughts: thoughts are not you
See how they:
arise on their own
linger briefly
dissolve without your control
Thoughts are events—not identity.
2.Observe emotions: emotions change
Anger fades, sadness softens, fear transforms.
Emotions are waves of energy, not who you are.
3.Observe awareness: awareness is constant
What you experience changes;
awareness itself does not.
Awareness is like a mirror reflecting everything.
The mirror is the mind’s true nature.
4.Return to immediate experience
Walk with awareness,drink with awareness,breathe with awareness.
Awareness lives only in the present moment.
4.What Changes When the Mind’s Nature Is Known?
1.You no longer follow every thought
Thoughts lose their authority.
2.You are no longer trapped by emotions
You feel them without drowning in them.
3.The mind becomes spacious and light
Because you stop identifying with mental content.
4.Life becomes less heavy
Less clinging → less suffering.
5.Awareness becomes inner strength
Clarity guides your actions and understanding.
Conclusion
The true nature of the mind is not thought or emotion,but the awareness that perceives them.When you see that thoughts are not you,emotions are not you,and the self is not solid,you discover a mind that is always present—clear, open, and free.Knowing the nature of the mind is the beginning of awakening.
