Establishing Mindfulness

Boredom is not a real problem; if we look closely we can see that the mind is always active. Thus, we always have work to do.

Relying on yourself to do little things--like cleaning up carefully after a meal, doing chores gracefully and mindfully, not banging on kettles--helps develop concentration and makes practice easier. It can also indicate to you whether or not you have really established mindfulness or are still getting lost in defilement.

You Westerners are generally in a hurry; therefore, you will have greater extreme of happiness, suffering, and defilement. If you practice correctly, the fact that you have to deal with many problems can be a source of deep wisdom later on.

---A Still Forest Pool - The Insight Meditation of Achaan Chah---