The Dhamma has to be found by looking into your own heart and seeing that which is true and that which is not, that which is balanced and that which is not balanced.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the importance of self-examination to discern truth and balance in life.
Ajahn Chah highlights the significance of introspection and self-awareness in understanding the Dhamma, or the truth of existence. By looking into one's own heart, individuals can differentiate between what is genuine and what is false, as well as recognize the state of balance or imbalance in their lives. This journey of self-discovery is essential for personal growth and spiritual development.
In practice
In a meditation workshop, a teacher might quote this to 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.
If the liberties of the American people are ever destroyed, they will fall by the hands of the clergy.
It is said that there is no salvation outside the Church. Who denies this? And therefore whatever things of the Church are had outside the Church do not avail unto salvation.
God does not delay to hear our prayers because He has no mind to give; but that, by enlarging our desires, He may give us the more largely.
We're all just songs in the end. If we are lucky.
There's no doubt that the Christian right has gone to bed with the more conservative elements of the Republican Party. And there's been a melding in their goals when it comes to the separation of church and state. I've always believed in the separation of church and state.
It is harder to preserve than to obtain liberty.
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