“We are all in it together—in this cycle of birth, ageing, illnesses, and death.”

The teachings of Ajahn Suchart.

“We are all in it together—in this cycle of birth, ageing, illnesses, and death.”

Question:  “How did you manage to stick to yourself and get by on your own when you were at Wat Pa Baan Taad?”

Than Ajahn:  “It was the mental calm that helped me.

You have to fight it. It is like climbing a mountain: you'll feel elated once there.

You just have to keep up with it.

[You need to] look for a teacher. You must be prepared and ready first. If not, you have to keep staying with your teacher.

You need a teacher to guide and motivate you in the beginning. 

You need to establish that calmness in your mind first and then you can go and be by yourself. To do so is like taking an exam. If you have already gained the first two levels of wisdom—sutta-maya-paññā and cintā-maya-paññā—and you'd like to test the level of your bhāvanā-maya-paññā, you'd have to try being on your own.

It is to test yourself on a higher level of practice.

You need to have already established a level of mindfulness, concentration, and wisdom to take care of yourself in order for your teacher to allow you. You shouldn't be on your own if you haven't gained these faculties. You're still like a baby who needs to be taken care of and taught by its parents. You can take off once you've grown up and can take care of yourself.

That's the point of having a teacher. You can consult him as soon as you run into a problem; he can readily help address your issue. Your mind isn't yet capable enough and still lacks the insight, that is, it is only full of defilements that deter your conviction and motivation for meditation practice.

Your teacher will give you teachings on a regular basis. 

When I was with Luangta Mahā Boowa, there weren't many visitors. He would call a meeting every four to five days to give us a teaching. I gained a lot of motivation after listening to his teachings.

I could do several hours of walking meditation after each meeting. I would get tired after an hour of walking from not feeling motivated on the day when there was no Dhamma talk. It made such a difference. I gained a lot of encouragement after listening to his Dhamma, but it faded after a few days. 

That's why he had to call these meetings on a regular basis.

The Buddha set Uposatha day for lay people to visit monasteries so that they can replenish their Dhamma and wisdom. It is to re-nourish their minds to help them face their own trials and tribulations. 

Uposatha day is the day for listening to the Dhamma as it brings so much benefits for those who do it on a regular basis, 'kalena dhamma savanaṁ etam maṅgalamuttamaṁ'.

I told you last time to listen to the Dhamma every day. You should listen to it after you get up, before going to work.

Have you ever got up or gone to bed an hour earlier than usual to do so? This is to have time to sit in meditation and listen to the Dhamma before going to work, so that you have the Dhamma as your guidance.

Listening to the Dhamma everyday would make a huge difference—having the Dhamma to guide you instead of your defilements. With your mind full of kilesas, they will urge you to do things that make your mind uneasy, restless, and agitated— giving you grief. With the Dhamma, you'll be able to manage, knowing that it is only expected for things to arise and cease. Both calm and chaos are bound to exist and alternate. 

There is no need to get yourself entangled in them. You can detach yourself from them with the Dhamma—using mindfulness, concentration, and wisdom.

You need to practise on a daily basis in order to maintain your mental well-being. You should do whatever you can. If you can make merit, just do it. If you can make donations, then do it.

If you can help someone, so do it. You should commit yourself to not harming anyone verbally and physically. No matter how badly others may behave, just let them.

There's no need to say anything; it won't do you any good. It will only make you just as bad as they are. You need to remain calm and equanimous, always full of compassion. You need to bear in mind 'sabbe sattā', which entails all sentient beings, including those that are for and against you. It needs to be inclusive of everyone, the red shirts, the yellow shirts, and those of other colours (refers to the political crisis in Thailand). 

We are all in it together—in this cycle of birth, ageing, illnesses, and death.

With compassion (mettā), there will be much fewer issues as it takes two to tango.

You should apply these Dhamma principles; all the issues will be much less aggravated. It will only get worse if each side is projecting its anger and hatred towards the other.”

“Essential Teachings”

By Ajahn Suchart Abhijāto
www.phrasuchart.com

Latest Dhamma talks on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCi_BnRZmNgECsJGS31F495g