“We must not wait for defilements to first launch an attack before we start to fight.”
“We have to be aggressive and go on the offensive. We must not wait for defilements to first launch an attack before we start to fight. We will risk not being able to win if defilements launch their attack first. This is because upon attacking, defilements will overpower us and leave us totally weak.
Whatever defilements desire, such as craving for food or drinks, we will have to give in.
We have to go on an offense by setting limits and a timetable regarding how much to eat or to drink. For example, if we limit our food intake to once a day, whatever we wish to eat, we will have to eat during that time. Whatever we wish to drink, we will only drink at that time. Beyond that time we will only drink water. This is how it has to be managed.
Watching television is off limits. Sell the TV set. Remove anything that is connected with entertainment. Donate all entertainment gadgets. That is what we call “being aggressive” and “going on the offensive”. If we sit and wait, defilements will entice us to watch this and that, eat this and that. When this kind of craving occurs, we might not be able to win the fight. Without the ‘props’ of the defilements, when the craving occurs but we do not have anything to chew or to watch, we will not have a problem.
We have not seen or recognized the value of having peace of mind because we do not often look into our mind. We have been preoccupied with observing material things, gauging their values, and neglecting the care of our mind, which has been left withered, lonely, hungry, and full of cravings. We do not look into our mind. And even if we do, we look in the wrong place.
The recitation of “Buddho” or concentration on the meditation objects are practices that bring us back to focus on observing our mind, its condition, and how to take care of it. These practices should be repeated as often as we can. If we do not perform the practices, we will not be able to see the condition of our mind and the care it needs.”
“My Way”
By Ajahn Suchart Abhijāto
www.phrasuchart.com
Latest Dhamma talks on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCi_BnRZmNgECsJGS31F495g
We have to go on an offense by setting limits and a timetable regarding how much to eat or to drink. For example, if we limit our food intake to once a day, whatever we wish to eat, we will have to eat during that time. Whatever we wish to drink, we will only drink at that time. Beyond that time we will only drink water. This is how it has to be managed.
Watching television is off limits. Sell the TV set. Remove anything that is connected with entertainment. Donate all entertainment gadgets. That is what we call “being aggressive” and “going on the offensive”. If we sit and wait, defilements will entice us to watch this and that, eat this and that. When this kind of craving occurs, we might not be able to win the fight. Without the ‘props’ of the defilements, when the craving occurs but we do not have anything to chew or to watch, we will not have a problem.
We have not seen or recognized the value of having peace of mind because we do not often look into our mind. We have been preoccupied with observing material things, gauging their values, and neglecting the care of our mind, which has been left withered, lonely, hungry, and full of cravings. We do not look into our mind. And even if we do, we look in the wrong place.
The recitation of “Buddho” or concentration on the meditation objects are practices that bring us back to focus on observing our mind, its condition, and how to take care of it. These practices should be repeated as often as we can. If we do not perform the practices, we will not be able to see the condition of our mind and the care it needs.”
“My Way”
By Ajahn Suchart Abhijāto
www.phrasuchart.com
Latest Dhamma talks on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCi_BnRZmNgECsJGS31F495g
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