Satipatthana is a term used in Buddhism that refers to the practice of mindfulness meditation. It is considered one of the fundamental practices in Buddhism, and is described in the Satipatthana Sutta, a discourse given by the Buddha.
The term Satipatthana is derived from two Pali words: sati, which means mindfulness, and patthana, which means foundation or basis. Together, the term Satipatthana means “the foundation of mindfulness” or “the basis of mindfulness”.
The practice of Satipatthana involves developing mindfulness and awareness of the present moment, without judgment or attachment. This involves paying attention to the body, sensations, thoughts, and emotions as they arise and pass away, with the goal of cultivating a deeper understanding of the nature of reality and the causes of suffering.
The Satipatthana Sutta describes four foundations of mindfulness:
- Mindfulness of the body: This involves paying attention to the body and its sensations, such as breathing, posture, movement, and physical sensations.
- Mindfulness of feelings: This involves paying attention to the feelings and emotions that arise in the body and mind, without becoming attached or judgmental.
- Mindfulness of the mind: This involves paying attention to the thoughts, mental states, and mental processes that arise in the mind, with the goal of cultivating clarity, insight, and understanding.
- Mindfulness of phenomena: This involves paying attention to the nature of reality and the interdependent nature of all things, with the goal of developing wisdom and insight into the causes of suffering and the path to liberation.
The practice of Satipatthana involves developing mindfulness and awareness of the present moment, with the goal of cultivating insight, wisdom, and liberation from suffering. It is considered one of the core practices in Buddhism, and is widely used in meditation and mindfulness-based therapies today.