All that I have said up to now has merely been words._x000D_ When people come to see me, I have to say something._x000D_ But it is best not to speak about these matters too much._x000D_ Better to begin practice without delay. _x000D_ I am like a good friend inviting you to go somewhere._x000D_ Do not hesitate, just get going. You won't regret it.
Interpretation
Actions speak louder than words; it's better to practice than just talk.
In this quote, Ajahn Chah emphasizes the importance of taking action rather than merely discussing ideas or concepts. While words can convey intentions and thoughts, true understanding and growth come from practical engagement and practice. The metaphor of a good friend inviting someone to take action illustrates the encouragement to not overthink but to simply begin and trust that the journey will be worthwhile.
In practice
In a motivational speech to inspire a group to take action on their goals.
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.
[T]he values to which people cling most stubbornly under inappropriate conditions are those values that were previously the source of their greatest triumphs.
Errors, to be dangerous, must have a great deal of truth mingled with them. It is only from this alliance that they can ever obtain an extensive circulation.
The richest soil, if uncultivated, produces the rankest weeds.
No one wants to hear everything that's in your head. They just want you to live up to what comes out of your mouth.
Awareness cannot be taught, and when it is present it has no context. All contexts are created by thought and are therefore corruptible by thought. Awareness simply throws light on what is, without any separation whatsoever.
The study of history is a powerful antidote to contemporary arrogance. It is humbling to discover how many of our glib assumptions, which seem to us novel and plausible, have been tested before, not once but many times and in innumerable guises; and discovered to be, at great human cost, wholly false.
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