The three unwholesome thoughts are blinding, produce lack of clarity, cause ignorance, obstruct wisdom, and are troublesome and not conducive to Nibbāna. The three wholesome thoughts give sight, produce clarity and create insight, grow wisdom, and are trouble-free and conducive to Nibbāna.

Following a tragic incident in which monks, overwhelmed by disgust after meditating on the body’s unattractiveness, take their own lives, the Buddha presents mindfulness of breathing as an alternative. He describes the collectedness born from breathing as a peaceful, sublime, and pure dwelling that, like a sudden rain settling dust, immediately stills any arisen unwholesome states.