พระอาจารย์อธิบายว่าการกำหนดรู้คือการทำให้สติตั้งขึ้นเพื่อเหนี่ยวนำบุญเข้ามา โดยใจต้องมีฐานที่ตั้งที่ชัดเจน ไม่ว่าจะกำหนดที่กาย เวทนา จิต หรือธรรม พร้อมชี้ว่าบุญไหลผ่านได้ทั้งขณะนั่งสมาธิและขณะทำกิจอื่นที่มีฐานที่ตั้งของใจPra Ajarn explains that noting awareness is a way of making mindfulness arise so as to draw merit in, requiring the mind to have a clear resting place — whether at body, feeling, mind, or mental objects — and that merit can flow through both while sitting and while doing other tasks with a resting place for the mind.
Someone asked: is noting awareness while doing daily tasks also a way of making arise?
Noting Awareness to Make Mindfulness Arise and Draw Merit In
Yes — noting awareness is precisely to make mindfulness arise. When we have awareness, possesses us and tells us to note awareness, to be aware of ourselves, staying with the of both and , both liberation of heart and liberation by wisdom. Wherever we note, the mind is there; give the mind a resting place, and mindfulness arises there. When we sense that merit is present — what we want is for merit to drive the wholesome system, working purification and liberation over and over.
Liberation of Heart Frees Us From the Hindrances; Liberation by Wisdom From the Unwholesome
With liberation of heart we're freed to one degree; with liberation by wisdom, freed to another. The essence of liberation of heart is freedom from . The essence of liberation by wisdom is freedom from and neutral natures that possess us and steer us through inner voices and feelings, pressing our elements down and drawing demerit in.
Merit Can Flow Both While Sitting and While Doing Other Tasks
Asked whether merit flows only while sitting in meditation, Pra Ajarn answered that even when not sitting, if one is at ease, merit can flow through — so long as the mind has a clear resting place. When walking, know where the mind is now: lifting, stepping, placing the right foot; lifting, stepping, placing the left. Or set it on the breath as in , or on the rising and falling of the abdomen — all are ways of resting the mind on its base, whether at the body, feeling, mind, or mental objects. So long as there's a resting place, merit is drawn in at that spot.
Without a Resting Place, Merit Has Nowhere to Be Drawn In
But without a resting place for the mind, the mind scatters and drifts, not knowing where it is now — so where would merit be drawn in? The unwholesome has its own knowing too, but a knowing meant to make greed, aversion, and delusion arise and draw demerit in — a knowing that creates trouble for oneself and others.