..续本文上一页on the beginning levels. When we investigate phenomena in the final stages, if feels very different from the beginning stages, even though they are the same four frames of reference. When we reach the final stages, it appears to the mind that all four frames of reference -- body, feelings, mind, and phenomena -- connect so that they all come under contemplation of phenomena as a frame of reference. They converge completely so that there is no sense that this is the body, that”s a feeling, this is the mind, that”s a phenomenon. They all seem to come together on a single level of Dhamma.
In dealing with the body, feelings, and mind, I”ve given a fairly adequate explanation of the methods of investigation for remedying and freeing the mind, but now that we come to the topic of phenomena, the discussion seems to have dealt entirely with my own experiences. Nevertheless, I hope that you will approach it with the attitude I”ve just mentioned and put it into practice in a way suited to your own temperament. The results are sure to come out directly in line with what I”ve explained to you.
To summarize the four frames of reference: There is the body, which covers the internal body, external bodies, and the body within the body. There are feelings -- internal feelings, external feelings, and feelings within feelings. (The issue of feelings is fairly complex, so I”d like to insert a few opinions here: Internal feelings are feelings or moods in the mind. External feelings are feelings in the body.) There is the mind -- the inner mind, the outer mind, and the mind within the mind. ”The inner mind” refers to mental states that deal with preoccupations exclusively within the mind. ”The outer mind” refers to mental states involved with external preoccupations. ”The mind within the mind” refers to any single mental current out of the many mental currents that come out of the heart. And then there are phenomena -- inner phenomena, outer phenomena, and phenomena within phenomena. ”Inner phenomena” are the refined states or preoccupations that are objects or focal points of the mind, and also the mind itself, which is the converging point of all mental objects. ”Outer phenomena” refers to every kind of external condition capable of being an object of the mind. ”Phenomena within phenomena” refers to any single condition out of the many conditions that are the focal points of the mind.
Thus the terms ”body within the body”, ”feelings within feelings”, ”the mind within the mind”, and ”phenomena within phenomena” refer to any single part or instance of these things. For example, any one hair out of the many hairs on the head, any one tooth out of the many teeth we have: These are termed the body within the body. A person investigating any one part of the body in general is said to be contemplating the body within the body. The same holds true for feelings, mind, and phenomena, but I won”t go into detail on this point for fear that we won”t have enough time. Let”s save it for a later date.
The four frames of reference, from the point of view of forest Dhamma, are present in full measure in our own bodies and minds. This doesn”t mean, though, that their external aspects are irrelevant. This is a point you will see clearly when you work at the frames of reference until you can connect them entirely on the level of contemplation of phenomena. The mind won”t feel compelled to search for anything external to help in its practice. Simply investigating exclusively in the area of the body and mind, using the four frames of reference complete in the body and mind, will be enough to cure it of its problems.
On the beginning level, though, everything internal and external is relevant. But as you reach the stage of letting go step by step, those various co…
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