The practice
Observe that everything pleasant and unpleasant reaches you through one of the senses, without exception. Then let attention come off the senses one at a time — not blocking them, simply no longer riding on them — and turn it to what remains when it is attached to none of them. Abide there.
What it works on
The text supplies the reason before the instruction, which is what makes this a contemplation rather than a withdrawal exercise. Seeing clearly that every disturbance arrived by a known route makes coming off that route an obvious move rather than an ascetic one.
Notes
- Turning within is the second half and the point. Detaching alone just produces dullness.
Practise gently
Shoonyaka offers educational and contemplative material, not medical, psychological or religious authority. Nothing here diagnoses or treats any condition. Stop any practice that leaves you dizzy, frightened or unwell, and treat a strong reaction as a reason to rest rather than to push on.