Read yourself, not books. Truth isn't outside, that's only memory, not wisdom. Memory without wisdom is like an empty thermos bottle - if you don't fill it, it's useless.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes the importance of personal introspection over relying solely on external information or knowledge from books.
Ajahn Chah suggests that true wisdom comes from within oneself rather than from accumulated knowledge found in books. He metaphorically compares memory without wisdom to an empty thermos bottle, implying that without personal understanding and reflection, knowledge becomes ineffective and lacks true value. His message encourages individuals to seek inner truth and wisdom through self-reflection and personal experience.
In practice
During a self-improvement workshop, this quote can inspire participants to look within themselves.
Once you understand non-self, then the burden of life is gone. You'll be at peace with the world. When we see beyond self, we no longer cling to happiness and we can truly be happy. Learn to let go without struggle, simply let go, to be just as you are - no holding on, no attachment, free.
When sitting in meditation, say, "That's not my business!" with every thought that comes by.
If you haven't wept deeply, you haven't begun to meditate.
To observe and watch one's own mind is something really interesting. The untrained mind will run and follow its old habit patterns. Because it has not been trained and taught, it will get lost in all kinds of stories and issues. Therefore we have to train our mind. The meditation practice in Buddhism is all about training one's own mind.
Meditation is like a single log of wood. Insight and investigation are one end of the log; calm and concentration are the other end. If you lift up the whole log, both sides come up at once. Which is concentration and which is insight? Just this mind.
The heart is just the heart; thoughts and feelings are just thoughts and feelings. Let things be just as they are.
Even in the worst tragedies and crisis, there’s no reason to add to everyone’s misery by looking miserable yourself.
Every thought that you have impacts you. Shift from a thought that weakens to one that strengthens you.
Convince yourself that you are working in clay, not marble, on paper not eternal bronze: Let that first sentence be as stupid as it wishes.
To prevent and suppress rising resentment is wise and glorious, is manly and divine.
All moments are beautiful, only you have to be receptive and surrendering. All moments are blessings, only you have to be capable of seeing. All moments are benedictions. If you accept with a deep gratitude, nothing ever goes wrong.
Let the gentle bush dig its root deep and spread upward to split one boulder.
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