Page 7 of 7 pages for this article « First < 5 6 7
Questions and Answers1 |
Q:
I have been developing very peaceful states of mind from meditation.
What should I do now?
A:
This is good. Make the mind peaceful, concentrated. Use this
concentration to examine the mind and body. When the mind is not peaceful,
you should also watch. Then you will know true peace. Why? Because
you will see impermanence. Even peace must be seen as impermanent.
If you are attached to peaceful states of mind you will suffer when
you do not have them. Give up everything, even peace.
Q:
Did I hear you say that you are afraid of very diligent disciples?
A:
Yes, that's right. I am afraid. I am afraid that they are too
serious. They try too hard, but without wisdom. They push themselves
into unnecessary suffering. Some of you are determined to become enlightened.
You grit your teeth and struggle all the time. This is trying too
hard. People are all the same. They don't know the nature of things
(sankhārā). All formations, mind and body,
are impermanent. Simply watch and don't cling.
Others think they know. They criticize, they watch, they judge. That's
OK. Leave their opinions to them. This discrimination is dangerous.
It is like a road with a very sharp curve. If we think others are
worse or better or the same as us, we go off the curve. If we discriminate,
we will only suffer.
Q:
I have been meditating many years now. My mind is open and peaceful
in almost all circumstances. Now I would like to try to backtrack
and practice high states of concentration or mind absorption.
A:
This is fine. It is beneficial mental exercise. If you have wisdom,
you will not get hung up on concentrated states of mind. It is the
same as wanting to sit for long periods. This is fine for training,
but really, practice is separate from any posture. It is a matter
of directly looking at the mind. This is wisdom. When you have examined
and understood the mind, then you have the wisdom to know the limitations
of concentration, or of books. If you have practiced and understand
not-clinging, you can then return to the books. They will be like
a sweet dessert. They can help you to teach others. Or you can go
back to practice absorption. You have the wisdom to know not to hold
on to anything.
Q:
Would you review some of the main points of our discussion?
A:
You must examine yourself. Know who you are. Know your body and
mind by simply watching. In sitting, in sleeping, in eating, know
your limits. Use wisdom. The practice is not to try to achieve anything.
Just be mindful of what is. Our whole meditation is looking directly
at the mind. You will see suffering, its cause and its end. But you
must have patience; much patience and endurance. Gradually you will
learn. The Buddha taught his disciples to stay with their teachers
for at least five years. You must learn the values of giving, of patience
and of devotion.
Don't practice too strictly. Don't get caught up with outward form.
Watching others is bad practice. Simply be natural and watch that.
Our monks' discipline and monastic rules are very important. They
create a simple and harmonious environment. Use them well. But remember,
the essence of the monks' discipline is watching intention, examining
the mind. You must have wisdom. Don't discriminate. Would you get
upset at a small tree in the forest for not being tall and straight
like some of the others? This is silly. Don't judge other people.
There are all varieties. No need to carry the burden of wishing to
change them all.
So, be patient. Practice morality. Live simply and be natural. Watch
the mind. This is our practice. It will lead you to unselfishness.
To peace.
|
Footnotes
- ...1
- Notes taken over a period of a few days from a session of questions and answers with a group of Western monks, 1972
|
| Back |
|
