The teachings of Ajahn Chah💠

The teachings of Ajahn Chah💠

Nothing happens immediately, so in the beginning we can't see any results from our practice. This is like the example that I have often given of the man who tries to make fire by rubbing two sticks together. He says, "They say there's fire here!" He then begins rubbing energetically. 

He's very impetuous. He rubs on and on, but his impatience doesn't end. He wants to have that fire, but the fire just doesn't come, so he gets discouraged and stops to rest for a while. He starts again, but by then the initial heat he had has disappeared, so the going is slow. He just doesn't keep at it long enough. He rubs and rubs until he is tired and then stops altogether. Not only is he tired, but he becomes discouraged. 

"There's no fire here!" He finally decides and gives up completely.

Actually he was doing the work, but there wasn't enough heat to start the fire. The fire was there all the time, but he didn't carry on to the end. 

Until we are able to reach peace, the mind will continue as before. For this reason the teacher says, "Just keep on doing it. Keep on with the practice!" Maybe we think , "If I don't, yet understand, how can I do it?" Until we are able to practice properly, wisdom won't arise. So we say just keep on with it. If we practice without stopping, we'll begin to think about what we are doing, and consider our practice. 

~ Ajahn Chah

16 June 2023