Pure Inspiration

Chittapala – 106
do caṅkamana (walking meditation) or work to put them away. Make
sure to avoid falling into a heavy offence.
Everything is affliction and one has to learn to delight in nothing. But
in the beginning one has to delight in one’s meditation, being wary of
attachment to it. Unless nekkhamma, renunciation of kāmārammaṇa
(sensual objects), is developed, one will not be able to give up this loka
(world). In meditation, don’t try to develop nimittas (signs) as the
Visuddhimagga (the text, ‘Path of Purification’) says, but rather see
that the mind is free from nīvaraṇa (hindrances). One can then delight
in the purity of mind that comes from jhāna (absorption). Jhāna is that
samādhi (concentration) that has no connection with this loka.
One aspect of dukkha is that one can’t expect to stay in one place
forever and when one seeks a new senāsana (lodging place), one can’t
expect to find a suitable place.
Don’t try for quick results. Having dedicated one’s life to Buddhadhamma,
just keep practising. Don’t hold on to any experiences,
nimittas, etc. as being attainments. Don’t try to force the length of
sittings. Use mettā (loving-kindness) to calm the mind before
ānāpānasati (mindfulness of breathing). If the mind is too distracted,
recite gāthā (verses) or do caṅkamana. One should use all the different
kammaṭṭhāna (meditation objects) to combat the different defilements
when they arise. Mettā is the easiest meditation from which to gain
great happiness.
The monk’s life is one of restricted activities in order that one can
consider dukkha. Sweep around one’s kuṭi carefully or spend time
cleaning one’s room mindfully. One can contemplate anicca in fallen