Thus was it said by the Blessed One, said by the Arahant, as I have heard:

“Bhikkhus, for a trainee bhikkhu whose mind has not yet attained the unsurpassed security from bondage, who is dwelling and aspiring for it, I do not see any other single factor as so helpful as wise attention. Bhikkhus, a bhikkhu attending wisely abandons the unwholesome and develops the wholesome.”

The Blessed One spoke this matter. Therefore it is said thus:

“Wise attention is the quality of a trainee bhikkhu; No other factor is as helpful, for attaining the highest goal; The bhikkhu who strives wisely, reaches the end of suffering.”

This matter too was spoken by the Blessed One, thus have I heard.

One can reflect to see the difference in how one attends to similar situations when the mind is shaken up in contrast to when the mind is steady, stable, unperturbed.

Wise attention or proper and careful attention is a quality of the mind that comes to growth and maturity as one continues learning, reflecting and applying the teachings in practice. It is one of the four factors that leads one to awakening to the truth of enlightenment, to stream-entry.

**Related Teachings:**s

Teachings on the harmful and beneficial qualities (AN) - In this teaching on contrasting pairs, the Buddha shares that harmful qualities when pursued, lead to one’s decline in morality, generosity, faith, concentration, and wisdom. In contrast, the beneficial qualities when pursued, cultivated, and developed, lead to one’s growth in morality, generosity, faith, concentration and wisdom.

What is the stream and who is a stream-enterer (SN 55.5) - A dialogue between the Buddha and Sāriputta on the four factors for stream-entry: 1.) association with good people, 2.) hearing the true teaching, 3.) wise attention, and 4.) practice in accordance with the teaching. Sāriputta also defines the “stream” and the “stream-enterer” and the Buddha approves of his answer.