Dealing with Chronic, Deeply-Rooted Defilements

~ By Ajahn Jayasāro ~

In high school I remember being much impressed by a cartoon illustrating some words of Leo Tolstoy. In the cartoon, a fat well-dressed man crosses a stream sitting on the back of a poor emaciated man in rags, who is red in face from the strain. Tolstoy’s words form the caption: “I sit on a man’s back choking him and making him carry me, and yet assure myself and others that I am sorry for him and wish to lighten his load by all means possible … except by getting off his back.”

Over the years, I have observed a similar attitude in many meditators. They are willing to do anything to free their mind from defilements except the one thing that is really necessary. An example: meditation on the unattractive and repulsive aspects of the human body is taught as the most effective antidote for a mind caught up in sensuality. And yet, many meditators faced by such a challenge will be willing to try everything except that meditation. Similarly, meditators whose minds are mired in negativity, are often willing to try everything except mettā meditation. The more educated such meditators are, the more convincing the reasons they are able to employ to justify their position.

There are times to go with the flow and there are times to go against it. Dealing with chronic, deeply-rooted defilements is the time to go against the stream of what makes us feel comfortable.

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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.