“With sensual lust I burn.
My mind is on fire.
Please, Gotama, from compassion,
tell me how
to put it out.”
Ven. Ānanda:
“From distorted perception
your mind is on fire.
Shun the theme of the beautiful
accompanied by lust.
See mental fabrications as other,
as stress,
& not-self.
Extinguish your great lust.
Don’t keep burning again & again.
Develop the mind
—well-centered & one—
in the foul,
through the foul.
Have your mindfulness
immersed in the body.
Be one who pursues
disenchantment.
Develop the theme-less.1
Cast out conceit.
Then, from breaking through
conceit,
you will go on your way,
at peace.”
Notes
1. The themeless concentration of awareness. See MN 121 and SN 41:7.
Origin URL: https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/SN/SN8_4.html