December 8, 2009
- Ajahn Chah on Studying -
“When people do a lot of study, their minds are full of words, they get high on the books and forget themselves. They get lost in externals. Now this is so only for those who don’t have wisdom, who are unrestrained and don’t have steady sati. For these people studying can be a cause for decline. When such people are engaged in study they don’t do any sitting or walking meditation and become less and less restrained. Their minds become more and more distracted. Aimless chatter, lack of restraint and socializing become the order of the day. This is the cause for the decline of the practice. It’s not because of the study in itself, but because certain people don’t make the effort, they forget themselves. Actually the scriptures are pointers along the path of practice. If we really understand the practice, then reading or studying are both further aspects of meditation. But if we study and then forget ourselves it gives rise to a lot of talking and fruitless activity.”
- Ajahn Chah (via Mind Deep)
books or the internet, the same rules apply...
Thank you Ian. Glad I could be a channel for Ajahn Chah’s wisdom . . .
Comment by Marguerite Manteau-Rao — December 8, 2009 @ 12:51 pm
Ever time I catch myself forgetting myself, I am both terrified and extremely grateful. Its a strange combination.
As Buddha said: “avoid idle talk”
Comment by Ian — December 8, 2009 @ 1:04 pm
And thank you, Marguerite.
Comment by Ian — December 8, 2009 @ 1:06 pm
Hello Ian,
Ajahn Chah always knew just how to get to the heart of the matter, didn’t he? As usual, he points to a true middle way; study, read, think, contemplate… but don’t forget who you are. A nice reminder, indeed.
Comment by jackson — December 9, 2009 @ 4:35 pm
Thanks Jackson, nice to see you here!
Yes, its that constant remembering who we are that’s the key, everything else must be contained within that, or its worthless. Study (or, in my own case, internet searching) is a tempting replacement for practice, but it’s like the Buddha said in The Simile of the Snake, “To those who do not wisely examine the purpose, these teachings will not yield insight.”
Comment by Ian — December 9, 2009 @ 7:53 pm