Directed thought and evaluation (vitakka-vicāra)
Skillful qualities / Noble Eightfold Path / Right Concentration / Directed thought and evaluation
Part of tag cluster Right Concentration in key topic The Noble Eightfold Path
Alternative translations: Applied and sustained thought
Glosses: Thinking (skillful)
See also: Proliferation
84 excerpts, 4:56:26 total duration

This tag refers to skillful thinking in meditation. See [Proliferation] for unskillful thinking.




Two Kinds of Thought and the Removal of Distracting Thoughts, Session 3 – Jun. 4, 2017

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7. “Do thoughts by themselves have karmic consequences?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno and Ajahn Karuṇadhammo. [Kamma] [Directed thought and evaluation] // [Perception] [Feeling] [Volition] [Self-identity view]

Sutta: MN 56: Upāli

Follow-up: “Is it good kamma to decide not to act on an unskillful thought?” [Skillful qualities] [Directed thought and evaluation]

Story: A person talks with Ajahn Liem, analyzing their consistently bad thoughts and obsessions. He replies, “If you see a pile of excrement, why would you want to stick your nose in it?” Told by Ajahn Karuṇadhammo. [Ajahn Liem] [Unskillful qualities] [Directed thought and evaluation] [Similes] [Fierce/direct teaching] [Culture/Thailand] [Thai Forest Tradition]

Comment: I think my problem is that my nose is already in there, and I don’t want to realize that I’m so stupid that it’s hard to get it out. [Delusion]


Awaken to the New Year Retreat, Session 3 – Jan. 2, 2021

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2. “I would appreciate further explanation of vitakka and vicāra.” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Directed thought and evaluation ] // [Translation] [Investigation of states] [Bases of Success] [Desire] [Energy] [Heart/mind] [Calming meditation] [Hindrances] [Happiness]

Recollection: Ajahn Chah’s teachings about vitakka-vicāra. [Ajahn Chah] [Directed thought and evaluation ]