THE SIX SENSE-BASES

THE SIX SENSE-BASES

The sense bases were described by the Buddha as the “all.” What he meant was that all that we can experience and know involves one or more of the sense-bases. Each sense base has an internal (within the body) and an external (outside the body) component. The 6 internal and external bases are: the eyes and visual objects; the ears and sounds; the nose and smells; the tongue and tastes; the body and tangible objects; and the mind and mental objects. Like the 5 aggregates, the 6 sense bases are another way to categorize our experience and another way that we cling to that experience. In working with the sense bases it is important to begin to be mindful of when we are having an experience through a particular sense base, to see if clinging is present, to investigate the experience using the 4 foundations of mindfulness, and then to let go of the clinging. For example, hearing one of your old favorite songs may trigger nostalgic memories and you may feel sad. You would be mindful that you are having an experience through the sense base of the ears and sounds. You would see that sadness is present and open your mindfulness to the sensations of the breath and the body. You would do the same with the other foundations (feeling tones, mind states, and dhammas) to investigate what is present. You would see that the sadness is a form of clinging. Without judgment you would release the sadness and keep your mindfulness on the sound and hearing. You can use a silent note of “hearing.” Working with mindfulness of the six sense bases in this way can be a rich area of investigation.