Mindfulness of Body View in explorer

9 discourses
Mindfulness of body is the practice of grounding awareness in the body as it is—through breathing, posture, activities, anatomical reflection, the elements, and contemplation of decay. Cultivated and frequently practiced, it steadies the mind, supports sense restraint and collectedness, and becomes a basis for deep tranquility and release.
Also known as: mindfulness of the body, mindfulness immersed in the body, mindfulness directed to the body, contemplation of the body
Pāli: kāyagatāsati, kāyānupassanā
Supported by
Right effort

Right effort

Energy and resolve directed toward preventing unwholesome states from arising, abandoning arisen unwholesome states, cultivating wholesome states, and maintaining arisen wholesome states; persistent application of the mind aligned with the path.

Also known as: right endeavor, right striving
Pāli: sammāvāyāma
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Full awareness

Full awareness

Clear comprehension that accompanies mindfulness, knowing what one is doing and why. Full awareness keeps the mind steady, intentional, and free from distraction.

Also known as: clear awareness, clear comprehension, being intentional, deliberate, purposeful
Pāli: sampajañña, sampajāna
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Leads to
Sense restraint

Sense restraint

A practice of guarding the sense doors by not grasping at the general features or details of sense objects when seeing, hearing, sensing, and cognizing.

Also known as: guarding the sense faculties, watching the sense doors, not grasping at the prominent features or details of sense objects, moderation in eating
Pāli: indriya saṁvara
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Collectedness

Collectedness

A mental quality of composure where awareness is gathered, steady, rather than scattered or tense. In such collectedness, supported by mindfulness and right view, experience is clearly known and can be wisely contemplated.

Also known as: mental composure, stability of mind, stillness of mind, concentration, undistracted awareness
Pāli: jhāna, samādhi, samāhita, susamāhita, sammāsamādhi
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Dispassion

Dispassion

The fading of desire and attraction toward conditioned things. It arises through seeing the impermanent and unsatisfactory nature of experience. It is the natural fragrance of understanding and the forerunner of release.

Also known as: detachment, disinterest, fading of desire, disentanglement
Pāli: virāga, visaṃyutta
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Related
Mindfulness

Mindfulness

Remembering to be present with continuous effort, observing the body, feelings, mind, and mental qualities in and of themselves.

Also known as: recollecting, remembering, keeping in mind, presence, awareness
Pāli: sati, anupassanā
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Breathing

Mindfulness of Breath

Mindfulness while breathing in and out is a practical application of right mindfulness, the seventh factor of the Noble Eightfold Path. This topic encompasses both the step-by-step training process and the resulting state of collectedness, where awareness becomes gathered and steady. It illustrates how this practice fosters deep tranquility, clarity, and the release of the mind from unwholesome qualities.

Also known as: mindfulness while breathing in and out
Pāli: ānāpāna, ānāpānassati, ānāpānassatisamādhi
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Walking meditation

Featured Discourses

MN 119 Kāyagatāsati sutta - Mindfulness of the Body Full training; 10 benefits → jhānas → liberation

The Buddha details a comprehensive training in mindfulness of the body—from breath and postures to anatomical reflection and charnel-ground contemplations. He explains how this cultivation steadies the mind and leads to ten benefits culminating in the four jhānas and final liberation.

MN 10 Satipaṭṭhānasutta - Establishments of Mindfulness Mindfulness of body is the first establishment

The Buddha describes the four establishments of mindfulness to be cultivated in detail, namely - mindfulness of the body, mindfulness of the felt experience, mindfulness of the mind, and mindfulness of the mental qualities.

AN 1.575-615 Kāyagatāsati vagga - The Chapter on Mindfulness of the Body Benefits of kāyagatāsati; includes wholesome path qualities

Short teachings on the benefits of cultivating mindfulness of the body.

AN 1.616-627 Amata vagga - The Chapter on the Deathless Mindfulness of body = partaking in the deathless

The Buddha explains the importance of mindfulness of the body in partaking in the deathless.

SN 35.247 Chappāṇakopama sutta - The Simile of the Six Animals Six animals: body mindfulness as the post for restraint

The Buddha explains how there is non-restraint and restraint with a simile of six animals with different domains and feeding grounds. He uses strong post or pillar as a designation for mindfulness directed to the body.

AN 1.296-305 Paṭhama vagga - The Chapter on One Thing (First) One-quality teaching: mindfulness directed to the body

The Buddha shares the importance of recollection of the Buddha, Dhamma, Saṅgha, one’s virtue, generosity, deities, in-and-out breathing, death, body, and peace.

UD 3.5 Mahāmoggallāna sutta - Mahāmoggallāna body mindfulness → restraint → Nibbāna

Venerable Mahāmoggallāna is sitting in meditation posture, aligning his body upright, and having set up mindfulness immersed in the body. The Blessed One sees this and expresses an inspired utterance.

UD 7.8 Kaccāna sutta - Kaccāna body mindfulness supports crossing attachment

Seeing venerable Mahākaccāna sitting with mindfulness immersed in the body, the Blessed One expresses an inspired verse about mindfulness leading to the cutting of attachment.

DHP 290–305 Pakiṇṇaka vagga - Chapter 21 - Assorted Verses on body mindfulness with effort and solitude

Dhammapada verses 290–305 share on the renunciation of lesser happiness for greater joy, mindfulness of the body, and applying effort to overcome defilements. Further, the verses highlight the harm of neglecting what should be done, consequence of imposing suffering on another, while praising recollection of the Buddha, Dhamma, and Saṅgha as well as the qualities of mindfulness, non-violence, and cultivation. The verses conclude with the benefits of solitude and the wilderness for those who are energetic and self-restrained.