The Pursuit of Purity and Freedom : หน้า 78/135

112. AN EASY LIFE Why do people want to be married? Living on your own is an easy life, full of freedom. Flying like a little bird, you can go anywhere you want. November 6, 1981 113. THE PURER YOU ARE THE MORE MERIT YOU GAIN In order for one to attain the crystal clear vision of the enlightened mind, one must practice chastity and be pure in body, speech, and mind. The mind must not be clouded with worries, sadness, or any other turbulent emotions. Don’t be concerned about anyone or anything. Think only of merit and how to salvage yourself. You have no need for pampering. Rely only on merit. Keep on purifying the mind and performing good deeds, and no merit will pass you by. In this way, the merit you gain will be utterly pure and free of defilements. 114. ELEVATE YOUR MIND Elevate your mind and you will see that sensual desires will cause suffering and may even vulgarize you. When you are fully occupied with the worldly life, it’s difficult to recognize this. Make the resolution to release all sensual desires so that you become ever more purified. I have looked into my past lives, into the mundane and into the sublime, and I see that I have been this way for a long time. Throughout my childhood in this lifetime, I never had those kinds of thoughts in my mind, and I never desired to love with anyone. I had some suitors, but I brushed them off. Then I entered the temple. I saw that I had been pure in this way, and I made the resolution that I wanted to remain this way for all my future lifetimes as well. Make a resolution every day to elevate your mind above sensual desires. Resolve also for other worthy things. The more centered your mind is the more effective your resolutions will become. The more resolutions you make the more your gain, and the more of your wishes will come true. December 3, 1980