Friends:
Careless Attention Enhances the Mental
Hindrances!
The Blessed Buddha once said:
When
one attends carelessly & irrationally any absent sense-desire arise,
increase, grow and expand.
When
one attends carelessly & irrationally any absent evil-will arise,
increase, grow and expand.
When
one attends carelessly & irrationally any absent lethargy &
laziness arise,
increase & expand.
When
one attends carelessly & irrationally any absent restlessness
& regret arise,
increase & expand.
When
one attends carelessly & irrationally any absent doubt &
uncertainty arise,
increase & expand.
Furthermore the Awareness link to awakening does not arise, and if present, then
it instantly ceases.
Any absent
investigation link to awakening does not arise, and if present, then it
instantly ceases.
Any absent Energy link to awakening does not arise, and if present, then it instantly
ceases.
Any absent Joy link to awakening does not arise, and if present, then it instantly ceases.
Any absent Tranquillity link to awakening does not arise, and if present, then it instantly
ceases.
Any absent Concentration link to awakening does not arise, and if present, then it
instantly ceases.
Any absent Equanimity link to awakening does not arise, and if present, then it instantly
ceases.
However if one attends carefully and rationally the five mental hindrances
do not arise and if
already
arisen then they gradually cease. Secondly, any of the 7 mental links to
awakening that has not yet
arisen arise and is gradually completed by mental development by repeated
reflection & meditation...
Source (edited extract):
The Grouped Sayings of the Buddha. Samyutta Nikaya.
Book [V:84-5] section 46: The Links. 24: Careless Attention...