Embracing Meditation for Perfection : หน้า 53/135

56. TO SUCCESSFULLY PURSUE PERFECTIONS, ONE NEED TO EMBRACE MEDITATION We were born to pursue virtues. Strive to perform good deeds. If you wish to successfully pursue Perfections, you need to “attach” yourself to mental development, not to people. This will benefit not only yourself but the people around you. Count on your mindfulness to remind you that if you allow yourself to be attached to people, you will not prevail in your pursuit of Perfections and will run into trouble. Be endeared to the practice of meditation. Let meditation be a refuge for you. You will be able to overcome false views and earn new merit that stays with you every day. Remember this and take it to practice. I am an old woman and only getting older, but as long as I am able, I will keep teaching this to you. Heed my advice and you will do well. December 15, 1980 57. LIKE HITTING THE GROUND WITH YOUR FIST Skill in meditation is something you must build from the ground up. Everything starts from the ground up: houses are built from their foundations, and birds which fly high overhead must take off from the ground. As you first begin your meditation, do not compare your progress to the progress of others, nor should you assume that you will not make any progress at all. Keep those ideas out of your head! Think that every time you repeat the mantra “Samma Arahang” in your mind, your merit becomes greater with each repetition. And every time you meditate you gain new merit. It’s as assured as hitting the ground with your fist—you never miss. As you progress along the path of Dhamma, guard yourself from carelessness and doubt. Pay no attention to those who direct their anger or impatience at you. Remember that you are following the path of the Lord Buddha and that, in itself, is gratifying. Have no doubt that you will succeed, and indeed success will come to you. January 17, 1975