Reply To: On “Introduction -2 – The Three Categories of Suffering”

#53157
Lal
Keymaster

Yes. What you described is the early stage of the Sotapanna Anugami level. As you mentioned, we can observe changes in ourselves at all stages of this process. Of course, it may take a few months to see some changes, but others can happen in days or minutes if one makes a significant step while contemplating.

  • It is a step-by-step process. It is rare for someone to see the deeper level (that we discussed in recent posts) in “one shot.” 
  • The next step is to see that the “mundane anicca nature” results from an internal mental process. 

The rebirth process is critical because the results of that internal mental process have consequences beyond this life. It is impossible to form a complete, self-consistent worldview without the rebirth process playing a role.

  • Contemplating how one’s gati leads to rebirth in different realms could be beneficial. This would connect the internal mental process to future lives.
  • Different gati are cultivated by repeatedly engaging in the same corresponding type of abhisankhara formation. 
  • The key is to see the importance of examining one’s inner thoughts, i.e., the internal mental processes.

P.S. The type of saññā that comes with birth in a given realm depends on the gati that led to that birth.

  • For example, a pig is born with a “likable saññā” for eating dirty things. That is because, as a human in a previous life, it had developed gati to engage in “dirty deeds.”
  • In the same way, people who kill are reborn as vicious animals. 
  • On the other hand, humans who engage in moral deeds and enjoy doing good deeds are reborn as Devas or Brahmas. Not only the mindset (saññā) but also the environment match those gati.