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33. Just as a fletcher straightens an arrow shaft, even so the discerning man straightens his mind — so fickle and unsteady, so difficult to guard.

34. As a fish when pulled out of water and cast on land throbs and quivers, even so is this mind agitated. Hence should one abandon the realm of Mara.

35. Wonderful, indeed, it is to subdue the mind, so difficult to subdue, ever swift, and seizing whatever it desires. A tamed mind brings happiness.

36. Let the discerning man guard the mind, so difficult to detect and extremely subtle, seizing whatever it desires. A guarded mind brings happiness.

37. Dwelling in the cave (of the heart), the mind, without form, wanders far and alone. Those who subdue this mind are liberated from the bonds of Mara.

38. Wisdom never becomes perfect in one whose mind is not steadfast, who knows not the Good Teaching and whose faith wavers.

39. There is no fear for an awakened one, whose mind is not sodden (by lust) nor afflicted (by hate), and who has gone beyond both merit and demerit. [6]

40. Realizing that this body is as fragile as a clay pot, and fortifying this mind like a well-fortified city, fight out Mara with the sword of wisdom. Then, guarding the conquest, remain unattached.

41. Ere long, alas! this body will lie upon the earth, unheeded and lifeless, like a useless log.

42. Whatever harm an enemy may do to an enemy, or a hater to a hater, an ill-directed mind inflicts on oneself a greater harm.

43. Neither mother, father, nor any other relative can do one greater good than one’s own well-directed mind.

“Cittavagga: The Mind” (Dhp III), translated from the Pali by Acharya Buddharakkhita. Access to Insight, June 7, 2009, http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/dhp/dhp.03.budd.html.

Try this experiment:

1. Sit in a comfortable position. Feel that the base of the body is supported, spine drawn upwards, shoulders relaxed, head balanced on neck.
2. Take a moment to feel into the entire body; moving through it part by part if that helps.
3. Then become aware of your breath. Feel it moving in and out of the nasal passages. Watch it with the attitude of an observer, as if noticing it for the first time. Don’t try and change it in any way (and don’t not try to change it either). Just let it be and watch.
4. The experiment begins from this point…
5. See your self in your mind. Which details show up? Can you see your body? Are you wearing clothes? Can you see your face? What color are your eyes? Does the you within the mind have density?
6. Say something. Does it have a voice? Is it the same you hear when you really speak?
7. Does it feel emotion?

I think we can recreate ourselves within the mind to the degree that we know really know ourselves. Like an expert potter molding clay with eyes closed; the final product product will reflect his oneness with that he is working with.

What really is pain and pleasure and how do they differ? Pain seems to be what our being recognizes as harmful to us (if repeated). Clearly, there are different types of pain as well – emotional, physical, … Sometimes things that start out painful become pleasurable and vice versa.

Om.