Just know what is happening in your mind – not happy or sad about it, not attached. If you suffer see it, know it, and be empty. It’s like a letter – you have to open it before you can know what’s in it.
AJAHN CHAHAll that I have said up to now has merely been words. When people come to see me, I have to say something. But it is best not to speak about these matters too much.
More Ajahn Chah Quotes
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When we see beyond self, we no longer cling to happiness. And when we stop clinging, we can begin to be happy.
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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.
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Why do we suffer? Because we stepped on it. So the suffering comes from us.
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Truth is all there is. It’s like when you learned how to read, you can then read anywhere you go.
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When coming out of sitting, don’t think that you’re coming out of meditation, but that you are only changing postures.
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Time is our present breath.
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But when I know that the glass is already broken, every minute with it is precious.
AJAHN CHAH -
Know and watch your heart. It’s pure but emotions come to colour it. So let your mind be like a tightly woven net to catch emotions and feelings that come, and investigate them before you react.
AJAHN CHAH -
Where does rain come from? It comes from all the dirty water that evaporates from the earth, like urine and the water you throw out after washing your feet.
AJAHN CHAH -
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.
AJAHN CHAH -
Practicing meditation is just like breathing. While working we breathe, while sleeping we breathe, while sitting down we breathe…
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Don’t think that only sitting with the eyes closed is practice. If you do think this way, then quickly change your thinking.
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To practice Dhamma means to observe and examine oneself.
AJAHN CHAH -
All religions are like different cars all moving in the same direction. People who don’t see it have no light in their hearts.
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Don’t be attached to visions or lights in meditation, don’t rise or fall with them.
AJAHN CHAH -
If it isn’t good, let it die. If it doesn’t die, make it good.
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The teachings say that wherever a problem arises it must be settled right there. Where suffering lies is right where non-suffering will arise, it ceases at the place where it arises.
AJAHN CHAH -
If suffering arises you must contemplate right there, you don’t have to run away.
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Better to begin practice without delay. I am like a good friend inviting you to go somewhere. Do not hesitate, just get going. You won’t regret it.
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We can always find time to breathe. In the same way, if we see the importance of meditation practice we will find the time to practice.
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Just go into the room, sit in the centre of the room, open the doors and windows, and see who comes to visit.
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In practice, some come to see easily, some with difficulty. But whatever the case, never mind.
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Difficult or easy, the Buddha said not to be heedless. Just that–don’t be heedless. Why? Because life is not certain.
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Why do we have time to breathe? Because we see the importance of the breath.
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If you see certainty in that which is uncertain, you are bound to suffer
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We practice to learn how to let go, not how to increase our holding on to things. Enlightenment appears when you stop wanting anything.
AJAHN CHAH