1.a. Analysis of Objects

Learning Outcomes

During the course of this lesson, you will:

  • Apply the Buddhist logic of dependent origination to analyse how things exist.
  • Learn how meditation can help to lessen your attachment to material objects and awaken a sense of wonder and awe.

1. Introduction

This meditation uses the Buddhist logic of Dependent Origination to analyse how things exist. Any object can be described as a collection of different parts (nothing is unitary), each of which has its causes. Our minds isolate the different parts of a collection of parts (and their causes) and gives them a label, creating the appearance of solid, unchanging, independently existing objects.

According to the Buddhist view of reality, any phenomenon or object can be described according to three levels of analysis: its causes, its parts (‘elements’ of a larger whole), and the mind that sees the parts and causes as singular separate identity (mental labelling). In this meditation, we go from an intellectual to an experiential understanding of objects and phenomena. Ultimately, this practice helps us to change the way we think, connect, and react to material objects. As a focus for this meditation, we can choose any object in relation to which we experience a feeling of attachment: our phone, car, house, favourite meal, etc. Here, we use a mobile phone as an example.

2. Watch

3. Read

Meditation outline

Grounding

  • Sit in your favourite meditation posture, either cross-legged on the floor or sitting on a chair with a straight spine. You can keep your eyes half-open or closed, and your hands in your lap or on your knees.
  • Focus on your breath for one minute to stabilise the mind, paying attention to your nostrils or abdomen.
  • If your mind wanders throughout the meditative practice, bring your attention back to the breath.

Analysis of the parts

  • Now focus on the mind and all the labels the mind creates.
  • Think about all the causes which brought together countless trillions of particles grouped into molecules, cells, and organs and contemplate how the mind imposes the continuity of particles and causes and label them as your object of attachment.
  • Try and see this label in your mind applying the label as an equal participant in the existence of your object.
  • Recall again how you ordinarily see the object as singular, independent, and unchanging.

Conclusion

  • Pull back and zoom back to your meditation posture and the breath.
  • Make an aspiration to continue seeing things this way, as richly changing interdependent objects, especially when strong feelings of attachment or aversion to objects arise.

We recommend reading the lecture notes before you start watching the content. This will help you to start contemplating some of the topics before you begin to watch the lecture.

Download Module 6 Lecture Notes