By: Ajahn Chah
Ajahn Chah responded to the following plea from one of his students—“I’m trying very hard in my practice but don’t seem to be getting anywhere”—with a warning about becoming identified with the idea of becoming enlightened. He replied, “This is very important. Don’t try to get anywhere in the practice. The very desire to be free or to be enlightened will be the desire that prevents your freedom. You can try as hard as you wish, practice ardently night and day, but if it is still with the desire to achieve in mind, you will never find peace. The energy from this desire will be a cause for doubt and restlessness. No matter how long or how hard you practice, wisdom will not arise from desire. So, simply let go. Watch the mind and body mindfully but don’t try to achieve anything. Don’t cling even to the practice of enlightenment.”
Note: Ajahn Chah (1918-1992) was one of the preeminent teachers in 20th Century Thailand, in the Theravadan Thai Forest School.