Analysis

Buddha advised his disciples to understand oneself and to rely on oneself in this search. He admonished that even the Buddhas can merely show the path and it is for an individual to follow it. While following the Dharma, due to inner discipline a Buddhist can contribute to the society. Hence, Buddha showed the real value of Dhamma, which is an individual search with an objective for inner development from which others also can benefit. The inner development and wisdom depend significantly on the analysis of phenomenon and objects.
The search and inner development cannot be carried out by taking objects and phenomena at a surface or a shallow value. Viewing objects or phenomenon assuming perspectives facilitating development of greed, hatred and ignorance or delusion will work against the efforts of attaining wisdom and purity of mind. For example, when tasting a tasty dish, a person may mentally think its taste is good to such an extent until craving is developed. With unhindered craving the person may exceed the limits and consume the food causing even an illness.
Instead of grasping objects with views, a Buddhist attempts to analyze them. This analysis must be devoid of views and must be based on mindfulness. If analysis is based on views, troublesome mental states occur. For instance, viewing mental phenomena as self or consisting of soul would lead to thinking about the self and can lead to daydreaming or to worrying about past.
When the analysis is based on mindfulness, the true status of phenomenon and objects can be understood. Hence, Buddha taught to be mindful about the nature of the body and to analyze the constituent parts of the body to see the foulness of it. This is not a pessimistic view but an analysis devoid of views (pessimistic or optimistic) and based on mindfulness. With such an analysis a person would see the body as consisting of parts that are subject to foulness or decay. Such a practice will result in the benefit of not becoming frustrated or depressed due to negative phenomenon (decay or foulness). Instead of becoming depressed or frustrated, a person who had developed mindfulness and analysis will be able to develop more positive states of mind.
With proper analysis based on mindfulness, when perceiving 'suffering', perceiving impermanence or change, a Buddhist will be able to overcome the defiling characteristics of the mind and develop wisdom leading to further concentration and purity.