Mahasatipatthana Sutta

i. Nivarana Pabba (Section on Hindrances)

And how, bhikkhus, does a bhikkhu dwell perceiving again and again dhammas as just dhammas (not mine, not I, not self, but just as phenomena)? Here (in this teaching), bhikkhus, a bhikkhu dwells perceiving again and again the five hindrances (nivarana dhamma) as just the five hindrances note71 (not mine, not I, not self, but just as phenomena).

And how, bhikkhus, does a bhikkhu dwell perceiving again and again the five hindrances as just the five hindrances? Here (in this teaching), bhikkhus, while sense-desire (kamachanda) is present in him, a bhikkhu knows, "There is sense-desire present in me"; or while sense-desire is not present in him, he knows, "There is no sense-desire present in me". He also knows how the sense-desire which has not yet arisen comes to arise; he knows how the sense-desire that has arisen comes to be discarded; and he knows how the discarded sense-desire will not arise in the future.note72

While ill-will (byapada) is present in him he knows, "There is ill-will present in me"; or while ill-will is not present in him, he knows, "There is no ill-will present in me." He also knows how the ill-will which has not yet arisen comes to arise; he knows how the ill-will which has arisen comes to be discarded; and he knows how the discarded ill-will will not arise in the future.note73

While sloth and torpor are present in him, he knows, "There are sloth and torpor present in me"; or while sloth and torpor are not present in him, he knows "There is no sloth and torpor present in me." He also knows how the sloth and torpor which has not yet arisen comes to arise; he knows how the sloth and torpor that has arisen comes to be discarded; and he knows how the discarded sloth and torpor will not arise in the future.note74

While distraction and worry (uddhacca-kukkucca) are present in him, he knows, "There are distraction and worry present in me"; or while distraction and worry are not present in him, he knows, "There are no distraction and worry present in me." He knows how the distraction and worry which has not yet arisen comes to arise, he knows how the distraction and worry that has arisen comes to be discarded; and he knows how the discarded distraction and worry will not arise in the future.note75

While doubt or wavering of the mind (vicikiccha) is present in him, he knows, "There is doubt or wavering of the mind present in me"; or while doubt or wavering of the mind is not present in him, he knows, "There is no doubt or wavering of mind present in me." He also knows how the doubt or wavering of mind which has not yet arisen comes to arise; he knows how the doubt or wavering of mind that has arisen comes to be discarded; and he knows how the discarded doubt or wavering of mind will not arise in the future.note76

Thus he dwells perceiving again and again dhammas as just dhammas (not mine, not I, not self, but just as phenomena) in himself; or he dwells perceiving again and again dhammas as just dhammas in others; or he dwells perceiving again and again dhammas as just dhammas in both himself and in others. He dwells perceiving again and again the cause and the actual appearing of dhammas; or he dwells perceiving again and again the cause and the actual dissolution of dhammas; or he dwells perceiving again and again both the actual appearing and dissolution of dhammas with their causes.note77

To summarize, he is firmly mindful of the fact that only dhammas exist (not a soul, a self or I). That mindfulness is just for gaining insight (vipassana) and mindfulness progressively. Being detached from craving and wrong views he dwells without clinging to anything in the world. Thus, bhikkhus, in this way a bhikkhu dwells perceiving again and again the five hindrances as just the five hindrances.