Mental Structures

Wisdom arises when one is fully mindful because the distractions of the unwholesome mental structures fall away. It’s in being fully aware of this that the mind settles and allows you to live without distractions…

There are mental structures of the mind that arise in each moment, they are wholesome, unwholesome, and neutral. The first is the unwholesome mental structure, this would be anything that leads to suffering. Wholesome mental structures are those that lead to peace and joy. The wholesome ones don’t need a belief to be, they just need to be investigated to see the truth of their wholesomeness. The third mental structure is probably the most difficult one because it’s based in non judgement. It’s neither wholesome nor unwholesome, it’s neutral. It arises for everyone in the present moment and its function is to just see what is. This mental structure doesn’t interpret what arises, nor does it attach to it. Think of seeing a stranger on a platform at a train station, without judging there’s simply no attachment and neutral remains the mental structure of the moment. Once there’s judgement the mental structure of the moment changes.

Unwholesome mental structures arise and are attached to and although there is mindfulness of this to a degree because it is happening, it’s labeled and thus attached to for the most part unconsciously. It’s the focus of these mental structures that determine their outcome. Being fully mindful allows you to see, but without needing a label. Being neutral allows you to recognize (perceive) but not necessarily be fully mindful. Wisdom arises when you’re fully mindful because the distractions of the unwholesome mental structures fall away. It’s in being fully aware of this that the mind settles and allows you to live without distractions. Wisdom isn’t something learned, it arises when you’re disciplined enough to remain fully mindful in the present moment more often than not…