Let's Sever the Connection!

Yesterday, we discussed that to stop the cycle of samsara, we must practice vedanā nirodhā taṇhā nirodho (cessation of feeling leads to cessation of craving). Only when feeling ceases will the connection be severed. Today, I’ll explain how to cut this connection. To sever this link, you must observe vedanā (feeling/sensation) with vipassanā (insight meditation). Feelings are of three types: pleasant (sukha vedanā), unpleasant (dukkha vedanā), and neutral (upekkhā vedanā). Some teachings categorize them into five, including joy (somanassa) and grief (domanassa). These feelings arise only in the present moment. Whenever a feeling arises, observe its arising and passing away with wisdom. When you observe it with wisdom, the subtle link between feeling and craving is severed. At the precise moment wisdom arises, magga (the path) lands on the point of contact and cuts it, preventing craving from arising. When craving ceases, "taṇhā nirodhoroti maggo" — the path that ceases craving — manifests. If you leave the feeling unattended, craving (taṇhā) and clinging (upādāna) will follow. But when you observe the feeling as impermanent (anicca) with the wisdom of magga, it severs the connection. Once severed, all future cycles of samsara end. Thus, observing every feeling is cutting present causes. This link must be cut. True severing only happens when magga arises within you. The feeling must arise in your present experience, and magga must arise within you too. Without magga, the chain continues: "vedanā paccayā taṇhā" (feeling conditions craving). Why Vipassanā Matters If you only practice generosity (dāna) and morality (sīla), busy with family life but neglect vipassanā, feeling and craving will reconnect. After death, this leads to rebirth (jāti), followed by aging and death (jarā-maraṇa). Without vipassanā, the link remains unbroken. Vipassanā is cutting your own suffering. You alone sever your links; no one can do it for you. While sharing merits brings collective good karma, magga must be realized personally. Merely rejoicing in others’ merits won’t awaken magga in you. The Mechanism of Severing When you observe the feeling within you with your magga, the link snaps. As the feeling ceases, craving ceases. Observing impermanence, magga arises at the point of contact and cuts off impending craving. This is you severing the cause of your own suffering. Without vipassanā, magga doesn’t arise, and Dependent Origination unfolds: Vedanā paccayā taṇhā → Taṇhā paccayā upādāna → Upādāna paccayā kammabhava → Kammabhava paccayā jāti (birth) → Jarā-maraṇa (aging-death). This binds section 2 (dukkha, suffering) to 3 (samudaya, cause), leading inevitably to 4 (dukkha again). To end suffering, you must trace its cessation (3 to 2) by observing: - Feelings (vedanā) as impermanent - Sense bases (eye, ear, etc.) as impermanent - Mind-body (nāma-rūpa) as impermanent - Consciousness (viññāṇa) as impermanent The Result of Severing When wisdom severs the link, "vedanā nirodhā taṇhā nirodho" — cessation of feeling brings cessation of craving. With craving gone, the chain from suffering to cause breaks. Future suffering cannot arise. This peace is Nibbāna. Nibbāna manifests in your own continuum only when the link between feeling and craving is severed. Therefore, let’s sever this connection! Venerable Dr. Ashin Parami