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What is happening in your mind right now?

Is it calm or restless? Focused or scattered? Joyful, anxious, sleepy, or doubtful?

Most of us move through life without truly noticing the ever-shifting landscape of the mind. We get swept up in thoughts, tugged by emotions, and caught in internal dialogues — rarely stepping back to observe what the mind is doing.

The Buddha, in his path to liberation, taught a radical and transformative practice: mindfulness of the mind. Known in Pāli as cittānupassanā, this practice is one of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness (Satipaṭṭhāna) — the central framework for Buddhist meditation and insight.

Whereas mindfulness of the body brings awareness to physical sensations, and mindfulness of feelings observes pleasant, unpleasant, and neutral tones, mindfulness of the mind invites us to watch the very states of mind themselves — not to change or control them, but to know them clearly.

This article will explore:

By learning to look directly at the mind — without clinging, judging, or reacting — we uncover a spaciousness within. And in that space, true freedom begins.

📜 What Is “Mindfulness of the Mind”? A Clear Definition

Mindfulness of the mind (Pāli: cittānupassanā) is the practice of observing and recognizing the state or condition of the mind in the present moment.

This does not mean analyzing thoughts or memories. Rather, it means becoming aware of how the mind is being — its current tone or quality.

For example, you might notice:

You are not trying to fix the mind. You are simply knowing it.

This awareness leads to insight. When you observe the mind clearly and continuously, you begin to see that mental states arise and pass away, that th are not-self, and that they are impermanent. This understanding is foundational to Buddhist liberation.

As the Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta states:

“When the mind is lustful, he knows ‘The mind is lustful.’
When the mind is free from lust, he knows ‘The mind is free from lust.’
When the mind is angry, he knows ‘The mind is angry.’
When the mind is free from anger, he knows ‘The mind is free from anger.’”
(Majjhima Nikāya 10 – Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta)

This kind of knowing is bare awareness. It’s honest, gentle, and clear. You’re not caught up in the content of the thoughts — you’re simply observing the quality of the mind itself.

🧠 Mindfulness of the Mind in th Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta

The Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta outlines four main areas of contemplation (kāyānupassanā, vedanānupassanā, cittānupassanā, dhammānupassanā), and “mindfulness of the mind” is the third.

In this section, the Buddha teaches us to observe the mind in various states, such as:

Each of these observations is to be made clearly and precisely, without attachment.

Why does this matter?

Because by seeing the mind’s current state, we no longer take it personally. We stop saying “I am angry” or “I am confused” — and instead see anger or confusion as a passing state of the mind.

This shift — from identification to observation — is the beginning of freedom.

📖 Buddhist Scripture as Anchor: Seeing the Mind Clearly

Let us return again to the Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta, where the Buddha offers this guidance:

“One abides observing the mind as mind — ardent, clearly knowing, and mindful,
having put away covetousness and grief for the world.”
(MN 10 – Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta)

Notice the phrasin: “observing the mind as mind” — not as my mind, not as who I am, but simply as mind.

This points to the deeper wisdom of Anattā — the teaching of non-self. The mind is not self; it is a conditioned phenomenon that arises due to causes and conditions.

Similarly, in the Dhammapada, the Buddha cautions us:

“Whatever an enemy may do to an enemy,
the ill-directed mind can do to you even worse.”
(Dhammapada, verse 42)

And:

“The mind is hard to check, swift, flits wherever it wills.
To tame it is good. The tamed mind brings happiness.”
(Dhammapada, verse 35)

Mindfulness of the mind is the path to this taming — not through force, but through awareness.

🧘 Why It Matters: The Path to Inner Freedom

When we practice mindfulness of the mind, we are stepping into a role of an inner observer — calm, wise, and unattached.

This allows us to:

Ask yourself:

Mindfulness of the mind gives us the tools to respond rather than react. We begin to loosen the grip of ego, habit, and craving.

This practice transforms not only our meditation cushion — but our entire life.

🌿 Applying Mindfulness of the Mind in Daily Life

Mindfulness of the mind is not reserved for monks or meditation halls. You can practice this throughout the day.

Here’s how:

1. Pause and Label the State

When you feel strong emotions or mental activity, pause and gently label what’s happening:

This simple labeling creates distance and clarity.

2. Notice the Shift

All mental states are impermanent. See if you can watch them change:

The more you observe, the more you realize: No mental state lasts forever.

3. Don’t Judge, Just Know

It’s tempting to think, “I shouldn’t feel this way.” But mindfulness doesn’t criticize — it sees clearly. Whether the mind is wholesome or unwholesome, the instruction is the same:

Know it. Don’t cling to it. Don’t push it away.

4. Incorporate into Meditation

During seated meditation, gently shift your focus from the breath to the mind itself. Ask:

Then just rest in awareness of that state, without interference.

🌺 Walking the Path: Reflect and Practice

Mindfulness of the mind is a profound doorway to inner freedom. When we see the mind as it is — not as “me” or “mine” — we begin to untangle the roots of suffering.

This practice teaches us to observe rather than identify, to accept rather than resist, and to let go rather than cling.

Let’s close with the Buddha’s words, simple yet powerful:

“Just as a man with good sight, having opened his eyes, might see forms clearly…
so too, when mindfulness of the mind is established, one sees clearly.”
(Saṃyutta Nikāya 47.6)

So today, you might ask yourself:

“Can I simply know the mind — as mind — without needing it to be any different?”

In that knowing, there is already peace.