Finding the Good Heart
In a practice teaching by Ajahn Chah he talks about how most of us are looking for what we “deserve” or a certain “advantage” in life.
Is this true for you?
Do you live your life seeking things you deserve or looking for an advantage?
In a spiritual practice we might be seeking some way to earn something good for ourselves, some advantage over others or create some value that we can claim. We might be looking for “me” merit.
Have you ever said to yourself, “I never get any credit for what I do?”
“Or how come the other guy seems to get credit and not me?” “Do you complain about life not being fair?”
Ajahn Chah suggests this merit seeking is like someone sticking an arm down a deep, deep hole and feeling disgusted that the hole is too deep and whatever is at the bottom is unreachable.
“When you feel that your efforts do not pay off do you give up?”
Don’t give up. Don’t find fault. Change your view. The hole is not too deep, your arm is in the wrong place. Take a backward step and study yourself in order to forget the self. Then, you'll be able to offer a helping hand to those around you.
How do you reach a stone 10,000 feet deep without getting your hand wet?
