Muddle Mindedness View in explorer

12 discourses
Lapsed presence of mind and failure of retention; a scattered or oblivious mental state that forgets its purpose, loses its anchor to the present experience, and leaves the mind passively drifting through distraction or dullness.
Also known as: forgetfulness, unmindful
Pāli: muṭṭhassatī
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Distraction

Distraction

A scattered, unfocused state of mind where attention flits from object to object without settling. A distracted mind lacks the composure needed for clear seeing and is easily pulled by whatever arises.

Also known as: scattered attention, uncollected, not well-composed, with a wandering mind, with runaway thoughts
Pāli: asamāhita, asamādhi, amanasikāra
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Wrong mindfulness

Wrong mindfulness

Misdirected presence of mind and unwholesome retention; the faculty that remembers worldly or harmful narratives, anchors attention to objects of craving and distress, and leaves the mind unguarded against unwholesome states.

Also known as: inferior recollection
Pāli: micchāsati
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Leads to
Displeasure

Displeasure

A feeling of mental pain or a disagreeable feeling or unease born of mental contact.

Also known as: mental pain, mental distress, melancholy, sadness
Pāli: domanassa
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Distraction

Distraction

A scattered, unfocused state of mind where attention flits from object to object without settling. A distracted mind lacks the composure needed for clear seeing and is easily pulled by whatever arises.

Also known as: scattered attention, uncollected, not well-composed, with a wandering mind, with runaway thoughts
Pāli: asamāhita, asamādhi, amanasikāra
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Related
Wrong mindfulness

Wrong mindfulness

Misdirected presence of mind and unwholesome retention; the faculty that remembers worldly or harmful narratives, anchors attention to objects of craving and distress, and leaves the mind unguarded against unwholesome states.

Also known as: inferior recollection
Pāli: micchāsati
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Opposite
Mindfulness

Mindfulness

Active presence of mind and lucid retention; the faculty that remembers the Dhamma, anchors attention to the chosen object or present experience, and guards the mind against unwholesome states.

Also known as: recollecting, remembering, keeping in mind, presence, awareness
Pāli: sati, anussati
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Discourses

AN 3.61 Titthāyatana sutta - Bases Of Sectarian Views

The Buddha explains the three bases of sectarian views that when closely examined, culminate in inaction. He then shares the Dhamma that is irrefutable, undefiled, blameless, and not disapproved of by the wise.

PTS 1.173–1.177

AN 10.76 Tayodhamma sutta - Three Things

The Buddha outlines a ten-step causal chain revealing how foundational vices like shamelessness lead to suffering, and how cultivating moral prudence and diligence systematically eliminates the root defilements to achieve final liberation.

PTS 5.144–5.148

AN 4.191 Sotānugata sutta - Followed by Ear

The Buddha describes four benefits of deeply internalizing the Dhamma. Even if one dies muddle-minded, they are reborn among the deities, where hearing the Dhamma again and recollecting their past spiritual practice enables them to swiftly reach distinction.

PTS 2.185–2.186

MN 8 Sallekha sutta - Effacement

The Buddha distinguishes pleasant abidings in the here and now from the way of effacement leading upwards to complete quenching. Effacement is shown as the gradual chipping away of defilements through restraint, cultivation of the noble eightfold path, and diligent training, culminating in the complete freedom of Nibbāna.

PTS 1.40–1.45

MN 4 Bhayabherava sutta - Fright and Dread

The Buddha explains to the brahmin Jāṇussoṇi how he overcame fright and dread while practicing seclusion in remote lodgings in the forests and woodlands, leading to the three true knowledges and full awakening.

PTS 1.16–1.23

AN 5.193 Saṅgārava sutta - With Saṅgārava

The Buddha explains to the brahmin Saṅgārava why memorized mantras are sometimes forgotten. Using metaphors of water that is dyed, boiling, overgrown, rippling, or muddy, he illustrates how the five hindrances cloud the mind.

PTS 3.230–3.235

MN 110 Cūḷapuṇṇama sutta - The Lesser Discourse on the Full Moon Night

The Buddha explains that one lacking integrity cannot discern the true nature of others, while a person of integrity discerns both the good and the bad. The discourse contrasts their ethics, views, and associations, revealing their vastly different karmic destinations.

PTS 3.20–3.24

ITI 91 Jīvika sutta - Livelihood

The Buddha explains how the livelihood of subsisting on alms, although the lowest of livelihoods, is a sensible choice for those who hope to discern a complete end to this entire heap of suffering.

PTS 89

ITI 92 Saṅghāṭikaṇṇa sutta - Corner of Robe

The Buddha teaches that one could be far from him despite being physically close, and one could be near to him despite being physically far. When one sees the Dhamma, one sees the Buddha.

PTS 90–91

AN 2.42–51 Parisa vagga - The Chapter on the Assemblies

The Buddha contrasts shallow and deep, factious and unified, worldly and Dhamma-centered assemblies. Communities bound by empty talk, indulgence, and discord decline, while those rooted in seclusion, concord, discipline, inquiry, and the good Dhamma flourish.

PTS 1.70–1.75

UD 4.2 Uddhata sutta - Restless

The Buddha expresses an inspired utterance about the qualities of a person who falls under the sway of Māra and of one who overcomes all bad destinations.

PTS 37

UD 5.9 Sadhāyamāna sutta - Mocking

The Blessed One sees a group of young brāhmaṇas passing by, appearing to be mocking.

PTS 61

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