Four Persons Found Existing in the World

Monks, these four persons are found existing in the world.

What four?

The subdued in body but not in mind; the unsubdued in body but subdued in mind; he who is subdued in neither; he who is subdued in both.

And how, Monks, is a person subdued in body but not in mind?

In this case a certain person makes his bed and lodging in the lonely glades and solitude of a forest but meanwhile thinks sensual thoughts, malicious (ill will) thoughts, and harmful thoughts.

Thus, Monks, a person is subdued in body but not in mind.

And how is a person unsubdued in body but subdued in mind?

In this case a certain person does not make his bed and lodging in the lonely glades and solitude of a forest, yet meanwhile he thinks unworldly thoughts, thoughts not malicious (ill will), not harmful.

Thus, a person is unsubdued in body but subdued in mind.

And how is a person subdued neither in body nor in mind?

In this case a certain person does not make his bed and lodging in the lonely glades and solitude of a forest, yet meanwhile he thinks sensual, malicious (ill will) and harmful thoughts.

Thus, a person is subdued neither in body nor in mind.

And how is a person subdued both in body and in mind?

In this case a certain person makes his bed and lodging in the lonely glades and solitude of a forest, and at the same time thinks unworldly thoughts, thoughts not malicious (ill will), not harmful.

Thus, a person is subdued both in body and in mind.

So, these four persons are found existing in the World.

(Reference: AN 4.138)

In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares four types of persons found existing in the world.

He describes four different types of Ordained Practitioners. (1) Subdued in body but not in mind; (2) the unsubdued in body but subdued in mind; (3) he who is subdued in neither; (4) he who is subdued in both.

Subdued in body but not in mind: An Ordained Practitioner who retreats to solitude of the forest being comfortable and content while being alone but while there, has sensual thoughts (i.e. sensual desire), malicious (ill will) thoughts, and harmful thoughts.

Unsubdued in body but subdued in mind: An Ordained Practitioner who does not retreat to solitude of the forest being uncomfortable and discontent while being alone but, does not have sensual thoughts (i.e. sensual desire), malicious (ill will) thoughts, and harmful thoughts.

Subdued in neither: An Ordained Practitioner who does not retreat to solitude of the forest being uncomfortable and discontent while being alone and, has sensual thoughts (i.e. sensual desire), malicious (ill will) thoughts, and harmful thoughts.

Subdued in both: An Ordained Practitioner who retreats to solitude of the forest being comfortable and content while being alone and, does not have sensual thoughts (i.e. sensual desire), malicious (ill will) thoughts, and harmful thoughts.

Today, some Ordained Practitioners do continue to train the mind through retreating to the forest for solitude but, for a Household Practitioner, this may or may not be possible. What is important is that you train the mind to be comfortable and content while being alone. This might require multiple experiences where you go eat alone, shop alone, go to the movies alone, go on extended trips alone, etc. In this way, a Practitioner is then able to observe the mind more closely.

If a Practitioner is always with others, there is oftentimes so much stimulation that it is nearly impossible to observe the mind. Training the mind to be comfortable and content with being alone is an important aspect of training the mind to attain Enlightenment.

While being with others at all times is impermanent, being alone is also impermanent. A Practitioner who trains the mind to be “satisfied with what is” while alone, can experience liberation. But if the mind craves being with others at all times, the mind is unliberated still uncomfortable while alone.

Additionally, one needs to ensure the mind does not crave solitude and can function among other beings while practicing the entire Eight Fold Path.

During times alone, observe the mind to determine what may potentially be arising. Is the mind generally peaceful and content or is the mind overactive with sabotaging thoughts? Are there sensual desires, thoughts of ill will, or harmful thoughts?

This can be insightful to assist you in further progress on The Path to Enlightenment through understanding what is and is not in the mind so that you can eliminate unwholesome mental states and cultivate wholesome mental states.

If you have fear being alone or being with others, these fears will need to be eliminated to attain Enlightenment.

Detailed explanation of how to eliminate fears is available in this same book series found in Chapter 17 of the book “Developing a Life Practice: The Path That Leads to Enlightenment” (Volume 1).