The Five Aggregates: An Introduction to Mind, Intention, and Action

The Five Aggregates: An Introduction to Mind, Intention, and Action

This article will delve into an analysis of the Five Aggregates, particularly the concepts of Mind, Intention, and Action as they relate to them.

1. Mind:

What is Mind? Mind is awareness, thought, arising thought, imagination, reflection, and contemplation. In other words, Mind is the activity of consciousness, encompassing:

• Contemplation: Thinking, reflecting, pondering on something, belonging to consciousness.

• Unwholesome Contemplation: Thoughts and imaginations about an unwholesome dharma that turn into words or actions that cause suffering to oneself, others, and beings.

• Wholesome Contemplation: Thoughts and imaginations that do not cause suffering to oneself or others. When the mind is in wholesome contemplation, it is pure, and no circumstance or object causes it to fluctuate.

• Contemplation of Thoughts: The intention and thought process of consciousness.

• Reflection: A stream of reflective thought; one can call the reflection something that is being pondered.

2. Intention:

What is Intention? Intention is the source of Mind, the driving force behind thoughts and actions. Intention can be divided into two types:

• Wholesome Intention: Intention that does not arise with desire for anything, intention that is free from anger, hatred, resentment, jealousy, intention that is not deluded, often clear-headed in recognizing all actions of cause and effect, good and bad, so as to always think about what is good without causing suffering to oneself or others.

• Unwholesome Intention: Intention of desire, greed, craving for this or that; intention of anger, hatred, resentment, jealousy, envy, attachment; intention of delusion, laziness, fondness for sleep, dullness, lethargy, unconsciousness.

3. Action:

Action is the result of Intention and Mind. Action can be categorized into three types:

• Physical Action: Actions performed by the body, for example, walking, standing, sitting, lying down, eating, drinking, etc.

• Verbal Action: Words, speech, for example, talking, singing, etc.

• Mental Action: Thoughts and actions in consciousness, the activity of intention, intention thinking about good things, intention reflecting and thinking about something, a form, a sound, a smell, a taste, a feeling, a word, a sentence, a poem, prose, etc.

4. Consciousness:

Consciousness is the differentiation of the brain, belonging to the form aggregate, having memory, remembering, thinking, and understanding, but limited in space and time. Consciousness is the awareness that everyone uses in their daily lives.

5. Still Mind:

Still Mind is a mind without self, a mind free from desire and unwholesome dharmas, a mind that is not scattered, a mind that is peaceful, joyful, and free from affairs. Still Mind can be attained through two paths:

• Through knowledge of precepts, virtues: Through practicing and living by precepts and virtues.

• Through knowledge of the awakened mind and the Four Jhanas: Through entering the Four Jhanas, the concentration power of the Four Jhanas sweeps away all feelings, so the mind no longer perceives suffering, making it easy for the mind to become still.

Conclusion:

Understanding Mind, Intention, and Action is crucial for us to gain control of ourselves and act in a positive and wholesome direction. The combination of practice and action helps us to eliminate negative thoughts and develop a peaceful and serene mind.