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.
Interpretation
Training the mind through observation prevents it from getting lost in distractions and habitual patterns.
This quote by Ajahn Chah emphasizes the importance of being aware of our own thoughts and the necessity of training our minds. An untrained mind tends to fall back into old habits and becomes entangled in endless stories and issues, making meditation a crucial practice for cultivating awareness and control over one's thoughts.
In practice
During a mindfulness workshop, this quote can remind participants about the importance of mental training.
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.
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.
Happiness and suffering do not depend on being poor or rich, they depend on having the right or wrong understanding in our mind.
Be of the disciples of Aaron, loving peace and pursuing peace, loving your fellow creatures and drawing them near to the Law.
I always tell people, anger is like liquid. It's fluid, it's like water. You put it in a container and it takes the shape of that container. So many people you see in prison, unleashing war on their people, they are angry, and they take their anger and put it into a violent container.
I am alive and well and unconcerned about the rumors of my death. But if I were dead, I would be the last to know.
I have learned that as long as I hold fast to my beliefs and values - and follow my own moral compass - then the only expectations I need to live up to are my own.
Advice is a dangerous gift, even from the wise to the wise, and all courses may run ill.
I say what I want to say and do what I want to do. There's no in between. People will either love you for it or hate you for it.
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