Three Key Kinds of Intoxication

~ By Ajahn Jayasāro ~

Looking back on my teenage years, wandering alone through places like Afghanistan, I am struck by how reckless I could be at times. It is tempting to look on my attitude on such occasions as fearless. But, in fact, it was simply intoxication. Not intoxication by drugs (at least, not primarily) but by life itself. I assumed that I was the hero of my story, like Batman. I might get into some dangerous situations, but in the end I would always pull through. Why? Because that’s what heroes do.

The Buddha identified three key kinds of intoxication: being drunk on youth, being drunk on good health, and being drunk on life. This foolishness leads us to create much avoidable bad kamma, and reap much unnecessary suffering. For this reason we need to return again and again to the daily reflection:

I am of the nature to age; I have not gone beyond ageing.

I am of the nature to sicken; I have not gone beyond sickness.

I am of the nature to die; I have not gone beyond dying.

I am the owner of my kamma, heir to my kamma, born of my kamma, related to my kamma, abide supported by my kamma.

Whatever kamma I shall do, for good or for ill, of that I will be the heir.

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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.