Perceptions: That Liberate

To purify a mind obstructed by hindrances by developing the Seven Factors of Enlightment, the Tathagata recommends the deliberate cultivation of a perceptions that serve as antidotes and incline the mind toward letting go, seeing clearly, and liberation.

These include:

The Perception of Foulness or of unattractiveness

And what is the non-nourishment for the arising of sensual desire that has not yet arisen, and for the increase, expansion, and full development of sensual desire that has arisen?

There is the perception of unattractiveness. In this regard, the frequent application of wise attention: this is the non-nourishment for the arising of sensual desire that has not yet arisen, and for the increase, expansion, and full development of sensual desire that has arisen.

SN46.51

The Perception of unattractivenes undermines sensual desire while at the same time developing mindfulness and dispassion.

By perceiving the body as unattractive, not to cultivate aversion but to balance infatuation, one counters lust. This perception at the same time nurtures mindfulness by keeping the attention steady and non-grasping.

Perception of Goodwill

And what is the non-nourishment for the arising of ill will that has not yet arisen, and for the increase, expansion, and full development of ill will that has arisen?

There is the liberation of mind by goodwill. In this regard, the frequent application of wise attention: this is the non-nourishment for the arising of ill will that has not yet arisen, and for the increase, expansion, and full development of ill will that has arisen.

SN46.51

Goodwill is not only a practice, it is also as a perception, a way of seeing others and oneself that is repeatedly cultivated. It is a way of training the mind to see all beings with good will, thus weakening ill will.

Perceiving everything with goodwill undermines ill will and develops the factors of tranquility, rapture, and equanimity. It replaces any perceptions of hostility and resentment towards others, oneself or the body. Goodwill creates emotional ease or tranquility, from which rapture and eventually equanimity can develop.

Perception of Light

The perception of light Undermines sloth and torpor and helps to develop the factors of energy and investigation.

Practicing seeing the world as luminous, imagining daylight, or noticing brightness in the mind, lifts dullness and supports clarity and inquiry.

Perception of Impermanence

Undermines all five hindrances, especially attachment and self-view which at their root is craving. It helps develop the equanimity enlightment factor

By continuously perceiving change in body, feeling, mind, and phenomena, one weakens grasping and generates equanimity, the final and most mature enlightenment factor.

Perception of Mindfulness of Breathing (Ānāpānassati)

In MN 118, the Tathagata maps out sixteen steps of mindfulness of breathing. These steps not only calm and concentrate the mind but also directly develop all seven factors of enlightenment and even the four foundations of mindfulness, directly addressing abandonmnent of the hindrances.

Each tetrad contains or implicitly supports other liberating perceptions:

In the first tetrad (Mindfulness of the Body), breathing in and out, experiencing body, calming body Awareness of the body, perception of calm Settles agitation, supports mindfulness, tranquillity 2nd tetrad (Feeling) – experiencing rapture, pleasure, calming feelings Perception of joy, letting go of ill will Nourishes rapture, reduces restlessness 3rd tetrad (Mind) – experiencing mind, gladdening, concentrating, liberating Supports perception of mind states, abandoning hindrances Foundation for samādhi and dispassion 4th tetrad (Dhammas) – impermanence, dispassion, cessation, letting go Direct perception of impermanence, dispassion, cessation, abandonment Core insight perceptions that uproot craving and ignorance

Enlightenment Factor	Supporting Perception	Hindrance Countered
Mindfulness	Mindfulness of breathing, body, dhamma	Forgetfulness, distraction
Investigation	Impermanence, dhamma-reflection	Doubt, dullness
Energy	Perception of light, urgency	Sloth and torpor
Rapture	Loving-kindness, breath clarity	Ill will, dullness
Tranquility	Mindfulness of breathing	Restlessness
Concentration	Mindfulness of breath, foulness	Sensual desire, restlessness
Equanimity	Impermanence	Craving, all hindrances