Loathsomeness

The Buddha relates that one of the benefits of mindfulness of breathing, when developed greatly, is a handle on loathsomeness. That is, one has control over the perception of what is loathsome.

This is one way to "test" your mindfulness of breath. Can it be directed to see the loathsomeness and unloathsomeness of things? And also to be equanimous, independent, unsustained, unentangled?

It's not just about pleasure or passive awareness.

---

EXCERPT

"If a monk should wish: 'May I remain percipient of loathsomeness in the presence of what is not loathsome,' then he should attend carefully to this same concentration through mindfulness of in-&-out breathing.

 "If a monk should wish: 'May I remain percipient of unloathsomeness in the presence of what is loathsome,' then he should attend carefully to this same concentration through mindfulness of in-&-out breathing.

 "If a monk should wish: 'May I remain percipient of loathsomeness in the presence of what is not loathsome & what is,' then he should attend carefully to this same concentration through mindfulness of in-&-out breathing.

 "If a monk should wish: 'May I remain percipient of unloathsomeness in the presence of what is loathsome & what is not,' then he should attend carefully to this same concentration through mindfulness of in-&-out breathing.

 "If a monk should wish: 'May I — in the presence of what is loathsome & what is not — cutting myself off from both — remain equanimous, mindful, & alert,' then he should attend carefully to this same concentration through mindfulness of in-&-out breathing.

See Dipa Sutta, SN 54.8