“Your mood is simply an effect, so you need to figure out its root cause.”

The Teachings of Ajahn Suchart

6th June, 2022

“Your mood is simply an effect, so you need to figure out its root cause.”

Question:  “Where would your mind end up if you were to die while observing a calm but sad mind? How closely do you need to observe it?”

Than Ajahn:  “Your mind isn't yet calm or fully concentrated if you still have such a feeling. If your mind is sad, then it will end up in the same fashion, and vice versa. Your feelings and emotions are the determinant: whether it will end up in a good or bad place; all depends on your mood.

You don't need to observe your mood while meditating. You should focus on reciting 'Buddho' or watching your in-and-out breaths. Your mind won't be concentrated if you keep observing your mood. Without concentration, you'll feel agitated and upset. If you're aware of it and capable of quelling it, you should do so by reflecting on your mood with insights.

For instance, you may seek the root cause of your reactions to the things you see. You need to see that it really comes down to your not being aware of the three marks of existence, which leads you to become attached to things. 

You can't help but worry and feel possessive when they come in sight, and so these negative feelings arise. You won't have any concern or feel any attachment if you are able to bear in mind that you will sooner or later part from them, and so your mental state will improve.

You need to contemplate and discern that they're all marked by the three characteristics of existence: impermanent, unsatisfactory, and not you or yours. All is subject to the condition of things, which is whatever arises shall remain for a while and then cease to be. Grasping onto them will only defile your mind—giving rise to satisfaction and dissatisfaction. You need to let go and leave be. Your mood is simply an effect, so you need to figure out its root cause. 

Having found the cause will prevent such mood from arising, hence no uneasiness.

For example, you may feel upset due to your relationships, be they with your spouse or child. You need to take into consideration the fact that everyone is made up of the four elements and subject to ageing, illnesses, and death. These relations are merely worldly conventions, which don't ultimately hold true. 

The only truth is that they only consist of earthly substances and are bound to disintegrate.

You need to be able to see this truth, which is beyond the worldly conventions. You only see the worldly constructs, and not the ultimate truth. You need to penetrate the ultimate truth so that your mind will be liberated. The ultimate truth involves discerning the composition of the four elements—earth, water, wind, and fire—in things. It is the truth that transcends all conventions.

But you're limited by the conventional truths. 

You see these relations as your parents, as your student or mentor, as your children or spouse, and not as the four elements. You don't see that they are impermanent, unsatisfactory, and not self. Whenever you think about or see them, an emotion immediately arises, be it pleasant or unpleasant, happy or sad, or indifferent. This kind of indifference is not out of equanimity. 

It's because you neither like nor dislike it, thus being indifferent. Such is not the case of being equanimous—being able to let go. To 'leave be', in an equanimous sense, you need to see them as merely consisting of earth, water, wind, and fire. It is to see them as being subject to the cycle of birth, ageing, illnesses, and death; and as inheriting the three marks of existence: impermanence (anicca), unsatisfactoriness (dukkha), and non-self (anattā). Being able to do so, your mind will be calm and remain equanimous with whatever comes in sight.”

“Essential Teachings”

By Ajahn Suchart Abhijāto
www.phrasuchart.com

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