MINDFULNESS
RAIN is a widely used approach to develop insight and nourish wisdom. We will also explore the habits
that RAIN replaces using the DROP acronym.
The RAINDROP Acronym
Recognition Acceptance Interest Nonidentification
What is really Can we accept the Can we investigate Is it pain in "my"
happening? fact that it is with genuine interest? back or is it "pressure
happening? and tightness?"
Remember to be here. What are the subtler
Acceptance does not qualities of the Am "I" angry or has
Re-collect the mean condoning, it experience? anger simply arisen
attention. means not denying because of causes and
the truth of what is Pure exploration has conditions?
Relax and receive the happening. no agenda to decrease
experience. pain or increase Do I believe this
pleasure. experience is “me” or
“mine,” and that I can
Interest recognizes control it?
that every experience
is worthy of our If we look closely,
attention. the sense of "me" or
"mine" is woven into
our experience.
Distraction Resistance Obliviousness Personification
The opposite of The opposite of The opposite of The opposite of
recognition. acceptance. interest. nonidentification.
Are you really aware of Our minds have Do you care about This is when we feel
what is happening, or powerful tools of what is happening? so strongly identified
caught in fantasy, resisting reality: with a sense of "me,"
ideas, or projections craving, aversion, sloth You may notice "mine," or "my self."
about what is and torpor, boredom, apathy, "I’m angry." "I’m
happening? This is restlessness and worry, indifference, or bored."
delusion. and doubt. disinterest.
We don't have to get
You may notice the These hindrances have Often we are caught rid of this feeling but
feeling of being spaced many flavors, from fear in the trap of pleasure we need to recognize
out, pretending, or to sleepiness to self- and pain, unable to that identification is
being dismissive. hatred. find genuine interest
in our experience. happening.
We also get caught in
the trap of conceit:
comparing ourselves
as better than, worse
than, or equal to
others.
"R" is for Recognition
We'll begin this mindful journey by focusing on Recognition, the first aspect of RAIN. It is essential to
recognize what is happening here and now if we want to bring RAIN into our practice.
The six sense doors
Seeing
Hearing
Smelling
Tasting
The body
The mind
"It takes actual training to be with our experience without reacting to
it."
The RAINDROP Acronym
RAINDROP makes the wisdom of the Buddha's mindfulness available to us all. It is profoundly
deep and yet easy to put into practice in the midst of living.
R Recognition What is really happening?
Can we accept that it's
A Acceptance
happening?
Can we bring genuine interest
I Interest
to what's happening?
Is this happening to "me," or is
N Non-identification
it simply happening?
The opposite of recognition. Are
D Distraction
we aware of our experience?
The opposite of acceptance. Are
R Resistance
we resisting reality?
The opposite of interest. Do you
O Obliviousness
care about what's happening?
The opposite of non-
P Personification identification. Taking things
personally.