Clarity of Mind

~ By Ajahn Jayasāro ~

Whatever form of meditation we practise, it is vitally important that we learn how to sustain clarity of mind throughout the session. Without that emphasis, the physical and mental relaxation that occurs as the meditation proceeds will result in dullness or sleepiness rather than samādhi. Without clarity, the mind feels heavy and clumsy. With clarity, it feels supple, stable and strong. The word ‘Buddha’ means ‘the awakened one’. In its most profound sense, going for refuge to the Buddha means establishing our mind in a Buddha-like alertness and wakefulness. It is in being awake to the true nature of all mental states that liberation is realised, not through attaining an endlessly blissful state of peace.

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"Food for the Heart", a series of Dhamma teachings handwritten weekly is posted on the Buddhadāsa Indapañño Archives page with Ajahn's kind permission.

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For other teachings by Ven. Ajahn Jayasāro, please visit the Panyaprateep Foundation website.