Mental Suffering Arises from Thought - Luangpor Pramote

What is the true nature of the suffering (dukkha) that arises in the mind?

As far as Luangpor observes, it is

that it arises solely from thought.

Mental suffering (dukkha) arises only from thought.

That is, except for the final stage.

The final stage is

that the mind (citta) is suffering (dukkha).

That is what it means.

However, if it is not yet the final stage,

suffering arises with thinking as its cause.

Thinking about this and suffering,

thinking about that and feeling sad,

thinking about that and feeling discouraged,

getting angry,

or wanting things,

all of those arise after thinking.

Thinking is called Mara (the devil),

and it is called Abhisankhara Mara.

Because defilements are behind it,

Abhisankhara Mara is able to function.

Khandhas (the five aggregates—form, feeling, perception, mental formations, and consciousness—which are obstacles that prevent people from escaping suffering) are not the tools of a monk.

They are the tools of Mara.

We work while being carried away by defilements.

Therefore,

train little by little.

Observe our own minds.

Among the monk teachers that Luang Por once met,

there was Luang Por Kasem Khema-ko.

He taught,

“Good thoughts make the mind calm,

if you do not think, it is cool and peaceful.”

That is what he taught.

As for good thoughts making the mind calm,

when we think with positive thoughts,

the mind becomes calm,

and when we think with negative thoughts,

the mind becomes restless and hot.

We are at the mercy of our thoughts.

“If you do not think, it is peaceful” refers to Nirvana.

It is cool and extinguished.

The heat is extinguished.

What does it mean not to think?

How should one think for that to happen?

It is

to detach from the act of thinking itself.

Mine,

myself,

does not exist.

Not thinking means

not thinking in terms of 'mine' or 'myself'.

It is not that a person is thinking,

it is not that I am thinking,

and it is not that he is thinking.

Thought is functioning.

To see that thought is functioning.

If you do not think, there is peace.

This does not mean not to think at all.

The mind has the function of thinking.

However,

that thought does not become 'my' thought.

If you can see it that way

it is cool and peaceful

Good thoughts calm the mind,

if you do not think, it is cool and peaceful.

Therefore, our thoughts are the worst things.

When we are alone,

people of the past taught us with good words:

When you are alone, you must be careful of your thoughts,

when you are with friends, you must be careful of the words you speak,

they said.

Therefore,

we must be quick to notice our own thoughts.

Being angry that COVID has occurred

is

a bad path.

Because thinking that way will not make COVID disappear,

it is merely ignorance,

and you are just suffering for no reason.

Therefore,

when we think,

Do not let thoughts be driven by the power of defilements and craving (tanha).

Think in accordance with cause and effect.

Think with sati (mindfulness) and samadhi (concentration).

August 14, 2021 (Buddhist Era 2564)