Achaan Chah: Go Beyond Words, See for Yourself.

[Guest guest]

Another snip from A Still Forrest Pool..The Insight meditation of

Achaan Chah

Compiled and edited by Jack Kornfield and Paul Breiter.

 

Go Beyond Words: See for Yourself.

 

In my own practice, I did not know or study much. I took the

straightforward teachings the Buddha gave

and simply began to study my own mind according to nature. When you

practice, observe your self. Then gradually knowledge and vision

will arise of themselves. If you sit in meditation and want it to be

this way or that, you had better stop right there. Do not bring

ideals or expectations to your practice. Take your studies, you

opinions, and store them away.

 

You must go beyond all words, all symbols, all plans for your

practice. Then you can see for yourself the truth, arising right

here. If you do not turn inward, you will never know reality. I took

the first few years of formal Dharma text study, and when I had the

opportunity, I went to hear various scholars and masters teach,

until such study became more of a hindrance than a help. I did not

know how to listen to their sermons because I had not looked within.

 

The great meditation masters spoke about the truth within oneself.

Practicing, I began to realized that it existed in my own mind as

well. After a along time, I realized that these teachers have really

seen the truth and that if we follow their path, we will encounter

everything they have spoken about. Then we will be able to

say, " Yes, they were right. What else could there be? Just this. "

When I practiced diligently, realization unfolded like that.

 

If you are interested in Dharma, just give up, just let go. Merely

thinking about practice is like pouncing on the shadow and missing

the substance. You need not study much. If you follow the basics and

practice accordingly, you will see the Dharma for yourself.

 

There must be more than merely hearing the words. Speak just with

yourself, observe your own mind. If you cut off the verbal, thinking

mind, you will have a true standard for judging. Otherwise, your

understanding will not penetrate deeply. Practice in this way and

the rest will follow.