The following talk was given at the Insight Meditation Center in Redwood City, California.

Please visit our website at adioderma.org.

So this morning, I'll continue with the theme of knowing and not knowing

and reflecting particularly on clear knowing or clear comprehension.

An infant can be fascinated by the flame of a gas stove and climb up on a chair and burn their

hand.

They can be very present with the flame,

very aware of the pretty colors.

But they don't yet have the context

that it's not wise thing to do

to stick your hand in a flame.

This fuller context is what we call clear knowing

or clear comprehension.

Clear comprehension broadens the simple observation of mindfulness into understanding the

fuller context of the moment.

If we're meditating and maybe we notice our head is feeling warm, you know, oh, warmer, warm, much warmer.

It's clear knowing that realizes our hair is some fire and we better put it out.

If we act out towards someone in anger, yelling at them,

mindfulness might recognize yelling, yelling, or anger,

but clear comprehension makes it obvious

that it's not in accord with their intentions of equanimity and compassion.

So traditionally, there are four aspects of clear comprehension that I'll mention.

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