My crazy days
- Crazy is relative to the norms of the society. It cannot be measured.
- Ajahn Catamalo's "crazy days" invovled taking substances. Why? To get away from the reality beacuse it hurts.
- However, once the effect of those substances wear off, reality hits back and one is forced to face the stark truth of reality once again.
Meditation
- Reinforement of present mind awareness. "A good meal is best enjoyed when it is being eaten"
- Chanting and focusing on the different body parts are "anchors" in order to cultivate mindfulness towards the subtle breathe. For the untrained mind, conentrating on breathe alone will probably bore one to sleep or feel a strong urge to get up and do something more stimulating. Hence, occupying one's mind with a few actions is more beginner friendly.
- The Buddha encourage attachment to wholesome happiness such as bliss from meditation and doing meritous deeds which would make everyone's lives happier and more meaningful. Bliss through the five senses is discourage and we should learn to dettach ourselves from these pleasure.
Rebirth (how to prove it exist?)
- Ajahn Catamalo firmly believes in rebirth
- However, it cannot be proven on scientific basis only by occasions where young children recall their past lifes.
Suttas (how do you prove its authentic?)
- View the teachings which appear multiple times in the different suttas. Paying attention to the "less appeared" teachings is less important as as there more than enough "commonly appeared" teachings for one to follow.
- In addition, always ask yourself whether following those teachings will result in wholesome deeds and greater happiness to the people around you.
- Lastly, it is not wise to just read about suttas but rather practise the teachings in your everyday life. One can spend a lifetime doing scholarly work and debating about what buddha said but will that really enrich one's life?
By Bin