Buddha was born at a very interesting time in India’s history, at a time
when India was prosperous and had reached its height in philosophical thinking.
In a highly intellectual society, people think they know it all, but in fact,
they have not known at all. This was the case in India. So Buddha said, “Come, I have a simple technique for you. Keep your concepts to yourself,
but just come and sit.” Then Buddha gave them four
steps.
1. Observe the body (Kayaanu Paschana)
2. Observe the sensations (Vedananu Paschana)
3. Observe the flow of mind (Chittanu Paschana)
4. Observe your true nature (Dhammanu Paschana)
So, Buddha spoke and taught for years. Thousands would sit still,
observe and meditate and become free. Buddha would not indulge in any philosophic
discussion.
Mind is noise; the source of the mind is silence. That’s why Buddha said, “no mind”. He was referring to the chain of
thoughts that simply wander in the mind all the time.
At a time when there was so much prosperity, Buddha gave begging bowl to
his main disciples and asked them to go and beg. Not that they were in need of
food but he wanted to teach them the lesson of
becoming ‘nobody’ from being ‘somebody’. You are
nobody; you are insignificant in this Universe. When kings and geniuses of that
time were asked to beg, they became embodiments of compassion.
Observe your true nature. What is your true nature? It is peace,
compassion, love, friendliness and joy and it is silence that gives birth to
all this. Silence swallows the sadness, guilt, and misery and gives birth to
joy, compassion and love.
