Polynomial

“Some of us start to practise, and even after a year or two, still don’t know what’s what. We are still unsure of the practice. When we’re still unsure, we don’t see that everything around us is purely Dhamma, and so we turn to teachings from the Ajahns (teachers). But actually, when we know our own mind, when there is sati (awareness) to look closely at the mind, there is wisdom. All times and all places become occasions for us to hear the Dhamma (the Buddha’s teaching; the truth of the way things are).

“In the beginning you must rely on a teacher to instruct and advise you. When you understand, then practise. When the teacher has instructed you follow the instructions. If you understand the practice it’s no longer necessary for the teacher to teach you; just do the work yourselves.

“Whenever heedlessness or unwholesome qualities arise, know for yourself, teach yourself. Do the practice yourself. The mind is that which knows, the witness. The mind knows for itself if you are still very deluded or only a little deluded.

“You may wish to travel, to visit other teachers and try other systems. This is a natural desire. You will find out that a thousand questions asked and knowledge of many systems will not bring you to the truth. Eventually you will get bored. You will see that only by stopping and examining your own mind can you find out what the Buddha talked about. No need to go searching outside yourself. Eventually you must return to face your own true nature. Here is where you can understand the Dhamma.”

Luang Por Chah