WE SHOULD MAKE AN EFFORT TO TRAIN OUR HEARTS AND MIND

WE SHOULD MAKE AN EFFORT TO TRAIN OUR HEARTS AND MIND

  – BY VENERABLE ACHARIYA MAHA BOOWA  NANASAMPNANO  

With the mind, there is no distinction drawn between women and men, and thus both  women and men have the same capacity in the area of the Dhamma. Both are capable of attaining the various levels of Dhamma all the way to release. There are no restrictions which can be imposed in this area. All that is needed is that we develop ability and potential, and then we can all go beyond.

For this reason, we should make an effort to train our hearts and minds. At the very least, we should get the mind to attain stillness and peace with any of the meditation themes which can lull it into a state of calm, giving rise to peace and well-being within it. For example, mindfulness of breathing, which is one of the primary themes in meditation circles, seems to suit the temperaments of more people than any other theme. But whatever the theme, take it as a ruling principle, a refuge, a mainstay for the mind, putting it into practice within your own mind so as to attain rest and peace. 

When the mind begins to settle down, we will begin to see its essential nature and worth. We will begin to see what the heart is and how it is. In other words, when the mind gathers all of its currents into a single point, as simple awareness within itself, this is what is called the “mind” (citta). 

 The gathering of the mind occurs on different levels, corresponding to the mind’s ability and to the different stages of refinement. Even if the mind is still on a crude level, we can nevertheless know it when it gathers inwardly. When the mind becomes  more and more refined, we will know its refinement -- ‘ This mind is refined--his mind is radiant--This mind is extremely still--This mind is extremely amazing’--more and more, step by step, this very same mind.

In cleansing and training the mind for the sake of stillness; in investigating, probing and solving the problems of the mind with discernment (pannna), which is the way of making the mind progress, or of enabling us to reach the truth of the mind, step by step, through the means already mentioned, no matter how crude the mind may be, don’t worry about it. If we get down to making the effort and preserve continually with what diligence and persistence we have, that crudeness will gradually fade away and vanish. Refinement will gradually appear through our own actions or own striving until we are able to go beyond and gain release by slashing the defilements to bits. This holds true for all of us, men and women alike.

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