Observing the Three Poisons Through Direct Experience

Q: When you were practicing, did you know how to observe the rise and fall of the Three Poisons? In other words, is what you teach about this process based on your direct experience? Did you understand how to do it from the very beginning?

A: Over the past 40 years, since my mid-20s, I have explored many different practices. The one I devoted the most time to—starting in my 20s—was simply ‘knowing what is happening in my mind as it happens.’ In essence, I spent most of those 40 years cultivating Sati (mindfulness). Through this, I came to understand the underlying patterns of my thoughts and emotions, all of which were tied to survival and well-being—both my own and my children’s—the Three Poisons.

Gradually and naturally, I became aware of how my body responded to these thoughts and emotions. I kept watching. Over time, I directly experienced the rise and fall of the Three Poisons. It wasn’t something I controlled or consciously achieved—it unfolded on its own.

Upon awakening, when I decided to share my practice method, I experimented with different ways to convey it. Every approach was rooted in my 40 years of exploration, refined through experience. Over time, the method became clearer and more effective, though it continues to evolve as I share it with others. This practice, now called the NBEF Practice Method, is the result of that ongoing refinement.