Original Mind

"The real mind doesn't have anything to it,

it is simply (an aspect of) Nature.

It becomes peaceful or agitated

because moods deceive it.

That gladness or sadness

is not the mind,

but only a mood coming to deceive us.

The untrained mind gets lost

and follows these things,

It forget itself.

Then we think it is we

who are upset or at ease or whatever.

But really this mind of ours is inherently

unmoving and peaceful...

really peaceful!

Just like a leaf which is still

As long as no wind blows.

If a wind comes up, the lead flutters -

The fluttering is due to the wind.

Our 'fluttering' is due to those sense impressions;

The mind follows them.

If it doesn't follow them, it doesn't 'flutter'

If we know fully

the true nature of sense impressions

we will be unmoved.

Our practice is simply to see

the Original Mind.

So we must train the mind

to know those sense impressions, and

not get lost in them.

To make it peaceful."

-  Ajahn Chah (1918 - 1992)