The Only Thing

The Only Thing


Many people say meditation is difficult, hard to do.

That's not true!

Actually, meditation is very simple, easy - as ABC.

Piece of cake.

Really.

Do you watch TV? Go to the movies? Surf the net?

If you do, then you'll have no problem meditating.

Cos that's what meditation is - Watching.

Just as The Buddha says :

"The only thing you should guard in this world, is guard your own mind.

The only thing you should tame in this world, is tame your own mind.

The only thing you should control in this world, is control you own mind.

And, the only thing you should watch in this world, is WATCH your OWN mind."

So, watch your mind - day and night.



"Faring Far, wandering alone, bodiless, lying in a cave, is the mind.

Those who subdue it are freed from the bonds of Mara."

- The Buddha (Dhammapada v.37)




"Examine your own heart;

Study/watch your own mind."




"What is bhavana but watching your thoughts and moods."

- Venerable Ajahn Mun




"If you can only control your mind,

You will have NOTHING more to control.

So GUARD your mind."

- The Buddha




"The mind is difficult to control,

Swiftly and lightly it moves and lands wherever it pleases.

It is good to tame the mind,

For a well-tamed mind brings Happiness."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 35




"The mind is very difficult to perceive,

Very delicate and subtle.

It moves and lands wherever it pleases.

The wise one should guard his mind,

For a guarded mind brings Happiness."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 36




"Right and wrong both exist within yourself.

Why don't you take an interest in looking there?

If you want to know how good other people are,

First you MUST thoroughly examine yourself; ........."

- Venerable Ajahn Mun





Teaching by The Buddha to His son, Rahula : Mirror


"What do you think, Rahula: What is a mirror for?"

"For reflection, sir."

"In the same way, Rahula, bodily actions, verbal actions, & mental actions are to be done with repeated reflection.

"Whenever you want to do a bodily action, verbal action, & mental action, you should reflect on it:

'This bodily/verbal/mental action I want to do — would it lead to self-affliction, to the affliction of others, or to both? Would it be an unskillful bodily action, with painful consequences, painful results?'

If, on reflection, you know that it would lead to self-affliction, to the affliction of others, or to both; it would be an unskillful bodily/verbal/mental action with painful consequences, painful results,

Then any bodily actions, verbal actions, & mental actions of that sort is absolutely UNFIT for you to do.


But if on reflection you know that it would NOT cause affliction... it would be a skillful bodily/verbal/mental action with pleasant consequences, pleasant results, then any bodily actions, verbal actions, & mental actions of that sort is fit for you to do.



"While you are doing a bodily actions, verbal actions, & mental actions, you should reflect on it:

'This bodily/verbal/mental action I am doing — is it leading to self-affliction, to the affliction of others, or to both? Is it an unskillful bodily/verbal/mental action, with painful consequences, painful results?'

If, on reflection, you know that it is leading to self-affliction, to the affliction of others, or to both...

You should give it up.

But if on reflection you know that it is NOT... you may continue with it.



"Having done a bodily actions, verbal actions, & mental actions, you should reflect on it:

'This bodily/verbal/mental action I have done — did it lead to self-affliction, to the affliction of others, or to both? Was it an unskillful bodily/verbal/mental action, with painful consequences, painful results?'

If, on reflection, you know that it led to self-affliction, to the affliction of others, or to both; it was an unskillful bodily/verbal/mental action with painful consequences, painful results,

Then you should feel distressed, ashamed, & disgusted with it.

You should confess it, reveal it, lay it open to the Teacher or to a knowledgeable companion in the holy life.

Feeling distressed, ashamed, & disgusted with it, having confessed it... you should exercise restraint in the future.


But if on reflection you know that it did NOT lead to affliction... it was a skillful bodily action, verbal action, & mental action with pleasant consequences, pleasant results,

Then you should stay mentally refreshed & joyful, training day & night in skillful mental qualities.


"Rahula, all those brahmans & contemplatives in the course of the past who purified their bodily actions, verbal actions, & mental actions, did it through repeated reflection on their bodily actions, verbal actions, & mental actions in just this way.


"All those brahmans & contemplatives in the course of the future who will purify their bodily actions, verbal actions, & mental actions, will do it through repeated reflection on their bodily actions, verbal actions, & mental actions in just this way.


"All those brahmans & contemplatives at present who purify their bodily actions, verbal actions, & mental actions, do it through repeated reflection on their bodily actions, verbal actions, & mental actions in just this way.


"Thus, Rahula, you should train yourself:

'I will purify my bodily actions through repeated reflection.

I will purify my verbal actions through repeated reflection.

I will purify my mental actions through repeated reflection.'

That's how you should train yourself."

That is what the Blessed One said.

Gratified, Ven. Rahula delighted in the Blessed One's words.

MN 61: Ambalatthika-rahulovada Sutta — Advice to Rahula at Mango Stone