The Pali term papanca, which was used by the Buddha, is usually defined as the tendency of the mind to respond to perceptions by "spiralling out" -- engaging in conceptual proliferation. One fruit of papanca is the generation of recurrent worrisome thoughts. The COVID plague, quite understandably, has greatly multiplied that tendency. Which raises the question: When is worry helpful (protective, instructive, motivational) and when is it not (pain-producing papanca)? And -- How do we discern and skillfully deal with the two forms? Tonight we'll explore those questions with exercises and discussion.
The Pali term papanca, which was used by the Buddha, is usually defined as the tendency of the mind to respond to perceptions by "spiralling out" -- engaging in conceptual proliferation.