Mindfulness of Ignorance

If a person is referred to as ignorant then according to the widely accepted meaning of this term, it is generally understood that they have a low level of knowledge or intelligence. However, within Buddhism and other Eastern contemplative traditions, the term ignorance assumes a somewhat different meaning. According to Buddhist thought, if a person is said to be ignorant, it normally means that they are ignorant as to the ultimate manner in which the self and phenomena exist. The practice of mindfulness of ignorance is concerned with cultivating awareness of the ignorant beliefs, behaviours, and perceptions that we have allowed to become established in the mind. By developing meditative awareness of our ignorant and unskillful ways, we create the correct conditions for transforming ignorance into wisdom. In this paper, we begin by briefly explicating a Buddhist interpretation of the term ignorance and explore whether it is possible for a person to be ignorant and intelligent at the same time. The second part of the paper then explicates the practice of mindfulness of ignorance which is conceptually stratified here into outer, inner, and hidden aspects. Emphasis is placed on applying the knowledge and understanding elicited by investigating the Buddhist construction of ignorance such that it informs, augments, and infuses our moment-to-moment practise of mindful awareness. …