When sitting in meditation, say, "That's not my business!" with every thought that comes by.
Ajahn ChahRead
Once you understand non-self, then the burden of life is gone. You'll be at peace with the world. When we see beyond self, we no longer cling to happiness and we can truly be happy. Learn to let go without struggle, simply let go, to be just as you are - no holding on, no attachment, free.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Understanding non-self leads to liberation from life's burdens and true happiness.
This quote emphasizes the importance of recognizing the concept of non-self, which allows an individual to release attachments and burdens associated with personal identity. By letting go of the desire to cling to happiness derived from external sources, one can find inner peace and authenticity in simply being present in the moment without the encumbrance of expectations or attachments.
Themes
Non-SelfHappinessPeaceLetting GoAttachment
In practice
Example use cases
In a meditation retreat, I shared this quote to encourage participants to release their thoughts and embrace the present moment.
More from Ajahn Chah
All quotes →If you haven't wept deeply, you haven't begun to meditate.
Ajahn ChahRead
To observe and watch one's own mind is something really interesting. The untrained mind will run and follow its old habit patterns. Because it has not been trained and taught, it will get lost in all kinds of stories and issues. Therefore we have to train our mind. The meditation practice in Buddhism is all about training one's own mind.
Ajahn ChahRead
Meditation is like a single log of wood. Insight and investigation are one end of the log; calm and concentration are the other end. If you lift up the whole log, both sides come up at once. Which is concentration and which is insight? Just this mind.
Ajahn ChahRead
The heart is just the heart; thoughts and feelings are just thoughts and feelings. Let things be just as they are.
Ajahn ChahRead
Happiness and suffering do not depend on being poor or rich, they depend on having the right or wrong understanding in our mind.
Ajahn ChahRead
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