Pure Inspiration

Chittapala – 110
the various objects. If so, one should return to solitude. One’s
satipaṭṭhāna (applications of mindfulness) practice during the day
should be strong. In solitude one may feel that some obstacles have
been eliminated, but on cārikā, new ones can arise. Having seen one’s
problems, one should then try to overcome them. When on cārikā, one
should announce from where you come from and one’s teacher, etc.
when one arrives at a temple. Do vandanā (pay respects) even to bad
monks as one is then paying respects to the Sangha. If one hasn’t been
given nissayavimutti (release from dependence) one should live near a
teacher.
Don’t be overly concerned with food or the body. The body is not
yours, so why cling to it? Don’t be making arrangements with dāyakas
etc. Learn to avoid this from the beginning. Avoid special dānas (meal
offerings). Develop detachment. Eat mindfully, considering what it is
for. Don’t let defilements grow. If on piṇḍapāta, one gets a lot, a little,
or nothing at all, develop detachment just the same. Bless those houses
even where one does not receive food. One should not wait too long
and only a short time in front of shops to see if there is spontaneous
giving.
If one thinks one has realized some attainment, don’t even announce it
to oneself. It can hinder progress and strengthen asmimāna (the
conceit ‘I am’). Time will tell whether one has attained this or that.
Remember the simile of the adze handle (i.e. if ones looks every day
one can’t see the wearing away of mental impurities - only over time,
through constant practice, one can see this.)