How to Understand the Mind - The Condensed Meaning of the Text (Video)

Vocabulary flashcards covering core terms and definitions from the lecture notes on How to Understand the Mind.

Mind

The faculty whose nature is empty like space, lacking form, with the function to perceive or understand objects.

Gross mind

One of the three levels of mind (gross, subtle, very subtle) describing a more apparent level.

Subtle mind

A more refined level of mind than the gross mind.

Very subtle mind

The most subtle level of mind among the three discussed.

Primary mind

A cognizer that principally apprehends the mere entity of an object; synonymous with mentality or consciousness.

Eye consciousness

The primary mind that cognizes visually.

Ear consciousness

The primary mind that cognizes sound.

Nose consciousness

The primary mind that cognizes smells.

Tongue consciousness

The primary mind that cognizes tastes.

Body consciousness

The primary mind that cognizes tactile sensations.

Mental consciousness

The primary mind that cognizes mental objects.

Mental factor

A cognizer that principally apprehends a particular attribute of an object.

Feeling

A mental factor that experiences pleasant, unpleasant, or neutral objects.

Pleasant feelings

Feelings experienced as pleasant.

Unpleasant feelings

Feelings experienced as unpleasant.

Neutral feelings

Feelings experienced as neutral.

Bodily feelings

Feelings arising from the body as a dominant condition.

Mental feelings

Feelings arising from mental phenomena as a dominant condition.

Contaminated feelings

Feelings tainted by defilements.

Uncontaminated feelings

Pure or purified feelings without defilements.

Discrimination

A mental factor that apprehends the uncommon sign of an object.

Mistaken discriminations

Discriminations that are incorrect or mistaken.

Non-mistaken discriminations

Discriminations that are correct.

Clear discriminations

Discriminations that are clear and understandable.

Unclear discriminations

Discriminations that are unclear or vague.

Intention

A mental factor that focuses the primary mind on an object.

Non-virtuous intentions

Intentions driven by non-virtuous motivation.

Virtuous intentions

Intentions driven by virtuous motivation.

Neutral intentions

Intentions that are neither virtuous nor non-virtuous.

Non-virtuous actions

Non-virtuous bodily, verbal, or mental actions.

Meritorious actions

Actions that create virtue and merit.

Non-meritorious actions

Actions that do not create merit.

Unfluctuating actions

Actions that are steady and constant in their karmic effects.

Contact

A mental factor that perceives its object as pleasant, unpleasant, or neutral.

Attention

A mental factor that focuses the mind on a particular attribute of an object.

Correct attention

Attention that aligns with reality and virtue.

Incorrect attention

Attention that misperceives or misapplies attention.

Appropriate attention

Attention appropriate to the object and context.

Inappropriate attention

Attention misdirected or inappropriate for the object.

Aspiration

A mental factor that focuses on a desired object and takes an interest in it.

Four types of aspiration

Wishing to meet an object, not to be separated from it, to obtain it, or to be released from it.

Mistaken aspirations

Aspiration driven by mistaken motivation.

Non-mistaken aspirations

Aspiration based on correct motivation.

Firm apprehension

A mental factor that makes the primary mind apprehend its object firmly.

Correct firm apprehensions

Firm apprehension that is accurate.

Mistaken firm apprehensions

Firm apprehension that is inaccurate.

Mindfulness

A mental factor that prevents forgetting the object realized by the primary mind.

New mindfulness

A type of mindfulness characterized by its freshness or recency.

Old mindfulness

A type of mindfulness associated with established practice.

Concentration

A mental factor that keeps the primary mind on its object single-pointedly.

Three divisions of virtuous concentration

By realm, by effect, and by object.

Nine levels of concentration by realm

Concentration across nine realms: desire, first form, second form, third form, fourth form, infinite space, infinite consciousness, nothingness, peak of samsara.

Wisdom

A virtuous, intelligent mind that realizes a meaningful object.

Wisdom from listening/reading

Wisdom arising from hearing or reading Dharma.

Wisdom from contemplation

Wisdom arising from contemplating the meaning of Dharma.

Wisdom from meditation

Wisdom arising from meditative practice.

Sevenfold wisdom

Great, clear, quick, profound, wisdom of expounding Dharma, wisdom of spiritual debate, wisdom of composing Dharma books.

Faith

A mental factor that helps eliminate non-faith and support virtuous belief.

Sense of shame

A mental factor to avoid inappropriate actions for personal or others’ sake.

Consideration for others

A mental factor to avoid inappropriate actions out of concern for others.

Non-attachment

Opposes attachment; three types and threefold divisions related to samsara.

Non-hatred

Opposes hatred; three types related to harm, objects, and suffering.

Non-ignorance

Opposes ignorance; four types (learning-, contemplation-, meditation-, imprints-based).

Effort

A mental factor that cultivates virtue; has multiple classifications (four types, fivefold and threefold divisions).

Mental suppleness

Flexibility of mind induced by virtuous concentration; two types: subtle and gross.

Conscientiousness

Cherishing virtue and guarding the mind from delusion and non-virtue; two types (mundane vs supramundane roots).

Equanimity

A mental factor that keeps the mind from sinking or becoming excited; three types.

Non-harmfulness (compassion)

Compassion for sentient beings; twofold division: Mere compassion and Superior compassion.

Compassion (twofold)

Two forms: ending suffering and removing its causes.

Virtue

Phenomenon that functions as a main cause of happiness; five types.

Natural virtue

Virtue arising naturally as a positive quality.

Virtue by association

Virtue arising from association with virtuous people or objects.

Virtue by motivation

Virtue arising from virtuous motivation.

Virtue by subsequent relation

Virtue linked to later results or conditions.

Ultimate virtue

Virtue considered as ultimate or highest form.

Non-virtue

Phenomenon that is a main cause of suffering; five types.

Natural non-virtue

Non-virtue arising naturally.

Non-virtue by association

Non-virtue arising from association with unvirtuous causes.

Non-virtue by motivation

Non-virtue stemming from unwholesome motivation.

Non-virtue by subsequent relation

Non-virtue related to later consequences.

Ultimate non-virtue

Highest or final form of non-virtue.

Delusion

Mental factor arising from inappropriate attention that unsettles the mind.

Root delusions

The six primary delusions: desirous attachment, anger, deluded pride, ignorance, deluded doubt, deluded view.

Desirous attachment

Deluded mental factor that sees a contaminated object as a source of happiness and wishes for it.

Anger

Deluded mental factor that exaggerates bad qualities and wishes harm.

Deluded pride

Deluded mental factor that boasts about one’s own qualities.

Ignorance

Mental factor confused about the nature of objects, leading to wrong awareness.

Deluded doubt

Doubt that blocks liberation; two or more forms.

Deluded view

A deluded, obstructive view about reality.

Sleep

One of the four changeable mental factors; gathers sense awareness inward.

Regret

Changeable factor; remorse for past actions.

Investigation

Changeable factor that examines an object’s gross nature.

Analysis

Changeable factor that examines an object’s subtle nature.

Conceptual mind

Mind that apprehends its object through a generic image; five types of object.

Non-conceptual mind

Cognizer whose object appears clearly without a generic image.

Sense awareness

Awareness developed from sense powers with a dominant condition.

Dominant condition

The condition (common or uncommon) that principally assists sense awareness.

Sense direct perceiver

Direct perceiver arising from sense power; five types (eye, ear, nose, tongue, body).

Mental direct perceiver

Direct perceiver arising from mental power; induced by sense direct perceivers or by meditation.

Yogic direct perceiver

Direct perceiver realizing true nature directly, via tranquil abiding and superior seeing.