Three functions of the citta

I recently came across some notes I had made on the three functions of the citta, what translators refer to as "the heart-mind". I'm not sure where this teaching comes from, but I suspect it's linked to the Thai Forest tradition. The three main functions of the citta are described as:

1. Feeling sensory impingement.
2. Responding to sensory impingement.
3. Understanding.

Now, the interesting piece is that when the citta is occupied with the first two functions there is less capacity for the third, understanding. So by cultivating renunciation and samadhi, we increase the capacity for insight and letting go.

I suppose there is a limit to what I can do about sensory impingement, living a busy family life, with friends, in an overstimulated world. But I can have some control over how I respond to sensory impacts. Seeing sensations come and go without getting involved is more restful for the citta than fighting against them or craving after them. I have a lot of work I can do there.

There is also the thought that although meditating in a remote cave is no doubt conducive to deep practice, it is presumably leaning heavily into reducing sensory impingement. In that case, we might still need to learn the skill of letting go in busy sensory environments. As someone who is quite probably neurodivergent, I can see the benefits in both reducing sensory impacts and learning to ride the waves.