The Dhamma has to sink deeply into the mind so that whatever we do, the mind has always goodness within it. All the ways of making merit are aiming at this. Goodness lies in the right view that is established in the mind. Then we don't have to celebrate it or let anybody know about it, simply let the mind have firm confidence in the goodness and keep going like this.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the importance of internal goodness and right perspective in cultivating a positive mindset.
Ajahn Chah's quote highlights that true goodness comes from within and is rooted in the right understanding and perspective. It suggests that by deeply internalizing the principles of 'Dhamma', one nurtures a continuous state of inner goodness, which does not require external validation or celebration. Instead, it should be a matter of personal conviction and self-assuredness, guiding our actions and thoughts towards merit and positivity.
In practice
In a meditation workshop, to encourage participants to cultivate inner peace.
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.
No one should deny the danger of the descent, but it can be risked. No one need risk it, but it is certain that someone will. And let those who go down the sunset way do so with open eyes, for it is a sacrifice which daunts even the gods. Yet every descent is followed by an ascent.
As we dread any disease that undermines the health of the body, so should we deplore contention, which is a corroding canker of the spirit.
It is worth while dying, to find out what life is.
If we return to the two faces of individualism - individualism as the spur of energy, initiative, and imagination; and individualism as the limitless struggle of all against all - it can be seen how the two practices emerge from and limit the extend of the disequilibrating impact of the contradiction involved in the geocultural agenda.
Liberty is a different kind of pain from prison.
What a thing is and what it means are not separate, the former being physical and the latter mental as we are accustomed to believe.
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