“This is the kind of happiness that the Buddha and his noble disciples guided you towards.”

The Teachings of Ajahn Suchart.

22 August 2023

“This is the kind of happiness that the Buddha and his noble disciples guided you towards.”

“Having come across Buddhism and learning about the real kind of happiness, you’ll be able to rid yourself of your craving for sensual pleasures through practice. It will allow you to experience a kind of happiness that is pure and not gained through any means—one that can be found within your heart. You will find that the happiness that comes from the peace of mind is much more superior—one that is not reliant on external factors, such as people and things.

All you have to do is to find somewhere quiet, focus your mind not to think about other things, and concentrate on a Dhamma related subject, such as ‘Buddho’ and any chanting verses. You may also watch your breathing by being aware of each in-breath and out-breath to control your mindfulness. This is to prevent your mind from thinking about other things. Be they in the past or in the future and good or bad, you are not to think about them in that moment. You are to stay focussed on the specific Dhamma-related subject: your mind is fully aware.

For instance, when reciting ‘Buddho’, you are only to have the word ‘Buddho’ on your mind. 

Just keep reciting it without saying it out loud. 

Once you manage to focus your mind on ‘Buddho’, it will soon enough calm down and become absorbed into one-pointedness (ekaggatārammaṇa). 

Your mind will only be aware: it will not attend to other senses that come through your eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and body. Your mind will not be interested in them even though it may not be completely void of such sensations. 

Your mind will just not be interested in anything in that moment; it will be still and at ease with calm and peace.

This is the kind of happiness that the Buddha and his noble disciples guided you towards, because such happiness can always be found within you. It is the kind of happiness that you can always keep with you, i.e., forever if you have the diligence and effort to practise.”

“Essential Teachings”

By Ajahn Suchart Abhijāto

www.phrasuchart.com

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