Preface

Basing on some very good feedback and suggestions from our kalyāṇamittas who had the condition to listen to Bro. Teoh’s dharma sharing over the past 15 years, Brother Teoh had agreed to allow his unique dharma quotes to be compiled into a booklet form for free distribution to all those who are interested and have affinity to receive it.

It is also Brother Teoh’s sincere wish that Dharma friends, spiritual practitioners, seekers of truth, and cultivators will be able to make use of the enclosed unique dharma quotes to develop a clearer and betterunderstanding of the Buddha Dharma as taught by the Buddha so that they may progress along the path of dharma to become more virtuous, nobler and wiser human beings that can be a blessing to all of humanity and the world. These unique dharma quotes can benefit cultivators in many ways, through acting as clear important pointers needed for cultivation and to understand clearly what this awareness (sati)-based Meditation as taught by the Buddha is.  Also to help cultivators understand the true meaning of sati and the two aspects of mind.

As these unique dharma quotes were mostly compiled from the Dharma sharing and talks delivered by Brother Teoh, the text is aligned as closely as possible to his colloquial style of speech while delivering the talk. However, some editorial amendments have been made to the text without detracting from the essence of the talk. With this, it is hoped that readers can adjust themselves accordingly to better understand its true meaning and intent.

To listen or watch the recorded audio and video files you can log on to his website, http://broteoh.com under Repository of Dharma material/other audio files/SJBA Talks/You-tube videos; or just Google search for: “broteoh.com” Or alternatively google search for: “Bro. Teoh’s Kalyāṇamittas – A Repository of Dharma Material’ to view them.

Acknowledgement

It is the donors’ sincere intentions that this booklet on the compilation of unique dharma quotes by Brother Teoh Kian Koon be given free to those who are interested and have affinity to receive them. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank and rejoice in the generosity and wholesomeness of all Dharma friends or Kalyāṇamittas who have donated and helped out in the compilation, formatting, proof-reading, etc. to make this free distribution of dharma dāna possible.

Special thanks should be accorded to Sister Lim Eng Bee who has taken her own initiative to volunteer to develop the initial draft compilation of my unique dharma quotes for my subsequent editing thereby enabling this dharma booklet to be printed.

By the power of all this wholesomeness, may all beings be well and happy, free from all mental and physicalsufferings and dangers and may there be love, peace and joy - deep within their hearts. And may it also pave the way for there to be causes and conditions for all Dharma friends who have donated or helped out in one way or another to realize their good and noble wishes/aspirations soonest possible.

With Mettā always,

Brother Teoh Kian Koon

(Dated: 18th November 2019)

Biodata of Bro Teoh Kian Koon

Brother Teoh Kian Koon graduated from the University of Malaya in Civil Engineering in February 1979. He has been a spiritual practitioner cum ‘meditator’ since 1971. Since his retirement from his Engineering career in the year 2001, he has been sharing his spiritual understanding and experiences of the Dharma with serious and keen spiritual and Dharma practitioners and others who are keen in their search for true peace, happiness, joy and liberation from birth and death and all mental suffering.

In our present-day society, true peace and happiness is difficult to come by. So, it is Brother Teoh’s sincere wish that this Dharma as taught by the Buddha can be a greatsource of very important and useful support to help mankind understand life thereby liberating their minds from all mental suffering and affliction and make them more virtuous, nobler and wiser living beings.

It is also Brother Teoh’s hope that Dharma friends, spiritual practitioners, seekers of Truth and cultivators will be able to make use of his sharing of the truth to develop a better understanding of life to help others and be of great blessing to all of humanity.

Over the years he had also counselled and helped many people with severe depression, Karmic condition, career, health, marriage, financial, separation and relationship problems, to recover beautifully via his sharing of his rather penetrative Dharma/Truth (as taught by the Buddha) with them.

He gives dharma talks, conducts dharma cum meditation classes and meditation retreats at various meditation centres and places that invited him. He also conducts weekly meditation cum dharma classes at Wu Ping Chin Seah, a Mahāyāna vihāra (every Sunday) and at Subang Jaya (every Thursday). He also conducts a weekly Dharma sharing/discussion class with a group of very serious spiritual friends every Tuesday night at his Petaling Jaya, SS2 residence. He also organizes and leads many spiritual cum tour trips to various spiritual places of importance for the Kalyāṇamittas.

Brother Teoh was invited to present an international seminar paper on “Life Management with Meditation: Experience and Success” at the International Seminar dated 10th to 12thAugust 2013 held in Bangkok, Thailand. The Seminar was co-organized by the World Buddhist University (WBU), the World Fellowship of Buddhists (WFB) and the Pipphalivanaram Mindfulness Center (PMC).

His seminar paper on “Success in Life via the Meditation as taught by the Buddha” can be downloaded via these links: pdf epub mobi

For more details on Bro. Teoh’s dharma activities and his Kalyāṇamittaship groupingplease login to his dharma website at: http://broteoh.com

Straight from the Heart Unique Dharma Quotes

1. Meditation supports

The four supports for awareness-based meditation are:

- Relax,

- Aware,

- 24 hours, and

- Trust.

Relax into every mind state that arises. Naturally Aware (without thought). Maintain awareness for as long as you can (if possible, over 24 hours). Trust your inner nature to meditate (without the interference of thought).

2. To realize our Self-nature

Silent, relax, aware & let it return to its original state, you will realize your True mind and Self-nature.

3. Meditation is ...

Meditation is just the silent mind being aware of what is going on within our form and mind, to see the truth of dependent origination clearly and “to see things as they are” via the direct seeing.

4. Meditation is ...

Meditation is very easy when you understand that the natural state of mind before the stirring is the true mind (that meditative silent mind). I.e. without thought you are already aware. So don’t have to practice to be aware or try to be aware because the trying and practice is by the thought. When thought is active you are no longer aware because you are already lost in thought (preoccupied with the thinking).

5. Therefore, just relax ...

Therefore, just relax and maintain awareness and let things be then the mundane mind will slow down and return to its original state before the stirring (or thinking) to become just aware.

6. Meditation as taught ...

Meditation as taught by the Buddha, is to develop a stable sati leading to heedfulness, to see things as they are and to insight into the 3 universal characteristics of nature namely anicca, dukkha and anattā to awaken thereby realizing the wisdom needed to free our mind.

7. Meditation must ...

Meditation must be done with understanding.

8. Maintaining awareness

To meditate is very easy, just Relax and maintain Awareness and the mundane mind will slow down until the meditative silent mind returns. With this understanding, you just relax and maintain awareness to develop this awareness-based meditation. Just let things be and don’t try to know. The silent mind will develop the understanding and the awakening on its own.

9. The meditative mind

When you are relaxed, aware and without thought, you are at peace. Your mind is tranquil and still. This is your meditative mind. Your meditative mind is also your self-nature, your silent mind. Use this meditative silent mind to be Aware of what is happening within your form and mind. It is only through this awareness which is beyond thought, beyond mind that one can awaken.

10. To realize profound wisdom

Without thought, who are you? (You are nothing and you are nobody). You are just that awareness nature within. Realize this clearly, then Profound wisdom will dawn upon you.

11. Understanding Meditation

To meditate is to silent your mind, to be aware of the truth and the reality within the moment. Aware of what is happening within your form and mind. It is through this awareness which is beyond thought, beyond mind that one can awaken.

12. Wisdom

Ability to be at PEACE with every moment of sense experience and having the ability to resolve all issues amicably is true wisdom.

13. Solving problem

No amount of fear, worry and anxiety can solve your problem because these are negative mind states with the evil roots. To understand, there must be awareness and clarity of mind. Therefore, do not project the wrong thoughts to arise the fear, worry and anxiety. Instead develop wisdom and virtue to solve your problem.

14. Develop wisdom ...

Develop wisdom or right view to accept the reality of the moment so that you can be at peace with a calm and clear mind to help you move on. Resolve issues amicably following Noble 8-Fold Path.

15. Whenever one ...

Whenever one is not peaceful and unhappy, the evil roots (greed, hatred, delusion) are there! This is the best way to check one’s cultivation.

16. Develop mindfulness ...

Develop mindfulness well so that you are sensitive enough to notice all these fine and subtle negativity of mind states.

17. If one ...

If one can accept the reality of the moment with wisdom, then one can always be at peace.

18. If one ...

If one can accept the reality of the moment with wisdom and move on, then one will not suffer.

19. Acceptance is wisdom

When you can accept the reality of the moment and do not stir your mundane mind, there is no fear, no anxiety and you will also not blame others. Your mind is quiet, leading to clarity of mind. With this you can resolve all life issues and problems amicably following N8FP and move on with your life smoothly.

20. Noble Eight-Fold Path (N8FP) ...

Noble Eight-Fold Path (N8FP) is the meditation as taught by the Buddha because cultivating it will lead to the end of all suffering (4th Noble Truth).

21. If the meditation ...

If the meditation does not bring you back to the Noble Eight-FoldPath (N8FP) cultivation, that is NOT the teaching (or meditation) as taught by the Buddha.

22. TRUTH (or the 3 universal characteristics of nature) ...

TRUTH (or the 3 universal characteristics of nature), is everywhere; it is in the midst of life and nature. Why can’t you see? For those who see they will always see.

23. The real SAMĀDHI

Ability to have the meditative silent mind while in the midst of life is REAL SAMĀDHI.

24. Understanding duality

The moment one can accept the reality of the moment, one doesn’t create the DUALITY of right and wrong, good and bad, etc. to stir the mind. This is how mind activities can cease and return to its original state of inner peace,Silence, Stillness and Tranquillity before the stirring.

25. Right view

When one can accept people for what they are, and the world as the world; then there is RIGHTVIEW, there is WISDOM because “things are just the way they are”  following nature’s laws.

26. Ability to see ...

Ability to see things as they are means one can understand that nature is suchness. For thingsare just the way they are within the conditioned world, and everything within it are causal phenomena and conditioned arising dharma. When conditions are like that, things will be like that.

27. Only mindful observation ...

Only mindful observation without clinging or rejecting, can bring about understanding or wisdom borne of the direct seeing via the silent mind. When one can observe in this way, it is a genuine FREE mind without any craving. A free mind in stillness which is just aware with understanding!

28. What is thought?

What is thought? Thought is response to memory. Thought is limited.

29. Thought pertains ...

Thought pertains to the mundane mind and thought is dependent originating. Thought arises and passes away according to condition, hence it is impermanent, leads to suffering when you want things your way which is not nature’s way.

30. Memory

What is memory? Memory is accumulation of experiences (good and bad), one’s conditioning, views and opinions, scars of memory, phobias, insecurity, tradition and belief system, etc.

31. Space between thoughts

Space between thoughts is wisdom energy. This is the true mind. You can only have more moments of silence, stillness and space between thoughts when you have realized the wisdom.

32. With a stable awareness ...

With a stable awareness borne of Yonisomanasikāra, you can have more space between thoughts leading to clarity, silence, stillness and tranquillity of mind.

33. Awareness of negative thoughts

The moment you are aware of your negative thoughts and heedless thinking, the thinking momentum of these negative thoughts that conditioned your habitual thinking, breaks. This is the reason why, to overcome heedless thinking, you need to have a very stable mindfulness/awareness (or sati) to just maintain awareness to feel and relax, to decondition the heedless thinking while living life.

34. When there is ...

When there is more space between thoughts, the conditioned mind can break free more easily. Thus when you are constantly aware with wisdom, the heedless thinking cannot arise and the phenomena world of consciousness too, will have no power over you.

35. Your true nature

Without thought, there is only an awareness nature within. That is your essence of mind, your True nature, which is not a being. It cannot come out to live life hence it is not “You” or “Self” (Anattā nature) because it is the unconditioned and there is no word or concept to describe it.

36. Without thought, ...

Without thought, you are naturally aware. The true mind will naturally surface. That awareness is complete stillness, total silence, it is not a being, hence NOT YOU!

37. Without thought, ...

Without thought, you are with your true mind (the silent or meditative mind), in total emptiness.

38. When you are ...

When you are just silent (without thought), the true nature can insight into phenomena to awaken.

39. Your original state of mind ...

Your original state of mind (without thought) is your true nature. This is your meditative mind.

40. When you are ...

When you are truly silent within, you can see clearly how thoughts actually arise due to conditions (as response to memory). If you are mindful enough you can also see the formation and birth of thought and understand why thought is dependent originating. Sample inquiry for self-reflection: “Why this thought arises in me, and not any other train of thoughts?”

41. True action

Acting according to memory is not acting at all. Act with wisdom following the Noble 8 Fold Path, to be free of all suffering, is True (or Right) action.

42. To develop wisdom, ...

To develop wisdom, you need to meditate with the true mind to awaken.

43. To Meditate is ...

To Meditate is to realize the true mind, then stabilize it until mind enters sati.

44. The true mind

The true mind is the silent mind which is tranquil, still and just aware. It is just a “nature” within, not a being that can come out and live life.

45. When mind is ...

When mind is tranquil, not moving and in stillness, that is Passaddhi, an enlightenment factor.

46. Sense restraint

After having cultivated the initial wisdom, daily mindfulness and clear comprehension, sense restraint (ability to keep precepts) will come to be.

47. Understanding that ...

Understanding that things are just the way they are is very important. Reason why the Buddha said, “whatever that arise, there are causes and conditions behind”.

48. The realization ...

The realization of one’s true mind is the beginning of true meditation.

49. Just relax to ...

Just relax to silent your mind and maintain awareness (don’t try to know). These are the first 2 supports for awareness-based meditation. The knowing is always by the thought.

50. When one is ...

When one is aware there is no word. Understanding will thus come about via the direct seeing, and then one can link this wisdom back to the dharma knowledge that one had learned earlier to stabilize one’s understanding.

51. Silent mind in pure awareness

Develop the silent mind and just be aware. The understanding will surface by itself without you doing anything. After this, you can contemplate with the silent mind. Only through your mindfulness can you awaken, not through your dharma knowledge, thoughts and memory.

52. Our true mind ...

Our true mind is the tranquil and still mind in pure awareness (without thought) and such a mind – can awaken to the 3 universal characteristics of impermanence, suffering state and non-self or empty nature of existence.

53. Yonisomanasikāra, ...

Yonisomanasikāra, is wisdom at the moment of sense experience.

54. It is important ...

It is important to develop the silent, meditative mind until it is very stable and sensitive, so that you are aware when there is any slightest intention to stir your mind via likes or dislikes borne of habitual tendencies. Yonisomanasikāra will prompt you that, this is attachment (craving) borne of wrong view, for things are just the way they are.

55. Realization of the ...

Realization of the “unconditioned” cannot be expressed in words. It is beyond words and beyond thought. But words and concepts are needed to express the dharma within the conditioned world.

56. The one who ...

The one who knows does not speak or talk frivolously. They only speak with understanding andwisdom when there is condition to speak.

57. The Awareness nature ...

The Awareness nature is just a suchness nature within and there is nobody to be aware. This nature within is not a being and it cannot come out and live life.

58. The 1st and 2nd turning wisdom ...

The 1st and 2nd turning wisdom (Yonisomanasikāra) borne of constantly listening to dharma and constant contemplative reflection of the dharma, can prompt you to have the requisite wisdom at the moment of sense experience to act wisely and appropriately. Thus preventing your mind from stirring and reacting via self-delusion.

59. Whatever that arise ...

Whatever that arise within this existential world, there are causes and conditions behind. So when you want things yourway, which is against nature’s way, you will suffer.

60. All knowing borne ...

All knowing borne of your memories, views, opinions and conditioned thoughts are just knowledge, mainly dharma knowledge.  They are not wisdom.

61. To meditate, ...

To meditate, you must use your true mind, but to live life you must use your mundane mind.

62. The Timeless dharma

The Dharma is akāliko, beyond thought, beyond time. i.e. timeless. Thus you cannot use thought to meditate to realize the timeless dharma because thought is psychological time. Instead you need sati to realize this true dharma.

63. Heedful living verses heedless living

Moment to moment, life passes by, what are you doing? Most people are too busy thinking, planning and worrying about life, so much so they totally missed out on life. They are seldom aware within the moment, to truly live life. This is heedless living (constantly lost in thought).

64. But with the meditative mind, ...

But with the meditative mind, you are most of the time mindful, aware and silent within. This is heedful living (ever mindful and constantly meditative).

65. A very stable daily mindfulness ...

A very stable daily mindfulness (sati) is needed to see the birth and formation of thought. There is an inner awareness within.

66. The pure viññāṇ ...

The pure viññāṇa (or pure awareness/consciousness) is the one that can allow one’s nature to see things as they are (seeing truth, without words and concept).

67. With sati ...

With sati and the initial wisdom, at the moment of sense experience, feeling can remainas pure feeling. It does not lead to craving. This comes with understanding because the collected and unwavering mind in Samādhi is borne of wisdom.

68. But without wisdom ...

But without wisdom your mind will stir with likes and dislikes, borne of self-delusion. These likes and dislikes are mental hindrances which will hinder your mind from entering the meditative state of inner peace and inner awareness. This is the reason why you are not peaceful.

69. Mundane mind and True mind

心为根本 (xīn wèi gēn běn), means you have to start your cultivation from basic understanding of mind. First aspect, is to understand that you have 2 minds, namely the mundane mind and the true mind. The true mind or the self-nature within is the unborn/unconditioned whereas the mundane mind is your thinking mind which is conditioned arising within the condition world.

70. True Mind ...

True Mind does not stir – true Suchness or “rú rú bù dòng”(如如不动). Only the Mundane mind stirs via delusion. Mundane mind without wisdom is the discriminating thinking mind.

71. Second aspect of 心为根本 ...

Second aspect of 心为根本(xīn wèi gēn běn), is to understand that, all mind states whether wholesome, unwholesome, evil and non-evil, etc. they all arise when the mundane mind arises, this is basic understanding. This basic understanding of the mundane mind and the self-nature (or the true mind/supra mundane mind) is very important.

72. One must understand ...

One must understand what these minds are, so that one can understand clearly who you are and what you are?

无 念 是 真 心(wú niàn shì zhēn xīn) – Without thought that is your true mind;

动 念 即 无 明(dòng niàn jí wú míng) – Movement of thought is by the mundane mind borne of self-delusion.

心静(xīn jìng) - Quiet mind or silent and still mind.

73. Self-nature and the mundane mind

If you can’t even understand that you have a self-nature and everything arises from that self-nature via creation by the mundane mind (which is dependent originating and conditioned arising) then you are being superficial in your cultivation and you are wasting your time.

74. The USER of thought ...

The USER of thought is very important. Without wisdom connected to the “form and mind”, the mundane mind is egoic with self-delusion. If the user of thought is deluded, then thoughts become wrong thoughts.

75. Life destiny

You hold the key to your own life destiny. To be happy or unhappy is entirely your choice. Therefore, it is very important for you to choose wisely. Choose to be happy.

76. To meditate is ...

To meditate is not to create more thoughts. Instead you need sati (the silent mind) to see the essential dharma,to understand who you are and how you function as a human being, and to understand clearly the Paṭiccasamuppāda links (the Law of Dependent Origination).

77. The first two links of Paṭiccasamuppāda ...

The first two links of Paṭiccasamuppāda are Avijjā paccaya saṅkhāra. Therefore, when you think a lot, it means you have ignorance; you lack wisdom and you are heedless. Instead the enlightened ones only think when they need to, or else they are most of the time, silent and just aware within, with specific phenomena awareness or spacious awareness without a centre.

78. For your meditative mind ...

For your meditative mind to be stable, you need to have the initial wisdom, the 5 spiritual faculties, and the daily mindfulness properly developed.

79. When you walk ...

When you walk this path of dharma, you develop wisdom leading to virtues, naturally. Without wisdom, there are no genuine virtues.

80. True Virtue ...

True Virtue must be accompanied by wisdom, otherwise: it is virtue according to oneself.

81. Real meditation ...

Real meditation only begins when one’s satisampajañña (mindfulness and clear comprehension) has stabilized.

82. Originally before the stirring

Originally before the stirring, the true mind is already the meditative state of inner peace, silent and still inner awareness. This is the fundamental inherent nature of this self-nature.

83. Mundane mind without wisdom

The stirring of the mundane mind comes about only when we do not have the wisdom and understanding of this self-nature.

84. Through ignorance ...

Through ignorance, you cause your mundane mind to arise via your reactions to sense experience.

85. Suchnessor Tathatā

Always remember; when there is wisdom there is no self-delusion or ignorance, therefore there is no stirring of mind because “wisdom frees the mind”.  i.e. the moment you awaken (after realizing the dharma/wisdom), your mind will not stir and you are free, so no need to do anything after that because things are just the way they are! – Suchnessor Tathatā.

86. Yonisomanasikāraleading tosatisampajañña

The real meditation is to start with cultivating the initial wisdom leading to the fulfilment of the satisampajañña (5th step, as stated in the Avijjā sutta). Cultivation must be supported by wisdom, mindfulness and clear comprehension to enable one to awaken to the truth via the direct seeing.

87. Importance of faith, sincerity and perseverance

One needs to diligently cultivate, to develop the conditions for one’s awakening. Just cultivate these 3 qualities of: having faith, sincerity, and perseverance. The way will be there, everything will follow from there.

88. Karmically conditioned vehicle and tool (5 aggregates of form and mind)

The user of thought and the physical body are very important because this ‘form and mind’ is one’s karmically conditioned vehicle and tool for one to come to this existential world to live and experience life to the fullest, to experience the pristine beauty and wonders of life and to develop the cultivation.

89. To use this ‘form and mind’ ...

To use this ‘form and mind’ with wisdom to arise the appropriate Right thoughts, Right speeches and Right actions,to be a blessing to all and not to be deluded by this ‘form and mind’ is true understanding.

90. After having learnt the Dharma ...

After having learnt the Dharma, one must understand it clearly through constant contemplation, reflection and inquiry into the Dharma to straighten one’s views. Then cultivate diligently according to Avijjā sutta to realize it (the true nature of life and existence).

91. The dharma learnt ...

The dharma learnt has to be cultivated,leading to awakening. As long as one does not know how to apply what has been learnt, it will only remain as dharma knowledge.

92. A good daily religious routine ...

A good daily religious routine is very important. Constantly listen to Dharma, develop 1st, 2nd and 3rd turning wisdom, and develop mindfulness to cultivate the N8FP, reflect, contemplate and inquire into the dharma proclaimed. Straighten your view and apply this understanding while in the midst of life, until it is part of yournature, until you have the embodiments of all the N8FP factors.

93. Once the mind enters sati ...

Once the mind enters sati, we can see the subtle defilements clearly and how they condition us to think, speak and react to sense experience.

94. It is important to train our mind ...

It is important to train our mind until it enters sati while in formal meditation; otherwise, you do not stand a chance to have such mind statewhile in the midst of life, because your six sense doors are fully engaged while living life and the mind moves very fast.

95. It is important for ...

It is important for one to understand the Law of Karma through understanding the 5th daily contemplation as taught by the Buddha and what constitutes evil, and then follow his advice to avoid all evil, cultivate wholesomeness, virtue and develop wisdom via meditation.

96. It is important for ...

It is important for one to cultivate the 3 turnings of the Four Noble Truths to develop the 3 types of corresponding wisdoms: suttamaya paññā, cintāmaya paññā and bhāvanāmaya paññā.

97. Develop the initial wisdom ...

Develop the initial wisdom borne of the 1st and 2nd turnings through constantly listening to the true dharma and constantly contemplating, reflecting and inquiring into them to straighten our views.

98. Make use of ...

Make use of that creative mind state (of silent inner awareness), to reflect, inquire and contemplate the Dharma; to develop the understanding and cultivate heedfulness (ever mindful and constantly meditative) in daily life.

99. Cultivate sati sampajañña ...

Cultivate sati sampajañña (mindfulness and clear comprehension) in daily life until one is ever mindful and constantly meditative.

100. When one can see clearly ...

When one can see clearly how our mundane mind reacts, stirs and oscillates between the dualities of sensual desires and ill-will, due to wrong view leading to habitual tendencies, then wisdom will keep on arising.

101. Sati sampajañña ...

Sati sampajañña will enable the mind to see clearly what is happening at every moment of sense experience. Witnessing all the essential dharma arising and passing away according to the Buddha’s teaching will enable one to understand the 3 universal characteristics of nature clearly.

102. Mindfulness with clear comprehension ...

Mindfulness with clear comprehension (Sati sampajañña) will protect the mind from going astray and being deceived by the phenomenal world of consciousness.

103. With Sense restraint ...

With Sense restraint, one cannot break the precepts because the mind with wisdom does not react through self-delusion anymore. When that happens, one’s thoughts, speech and action are in accordance with Noble 8-Fold Path leading to one’s ability to arise the 3 ways of right conduct.

104. Right thought ...

Right thought is very important. They are all your virtuous thoughts that include the four Brahma Vihāra mind states and the accompanying ennoble of precepts (example, the ennoble of anger is love, ennoble of stealing is generosity, ennoble of lust is contentment, etc.)

105. To have the ultimate realization ...

To have the ultimate realization, to transcend life, one has to transcend even the present moment leading to the cessation of form and mind (realization of nibbāna) which is the unconditioned. The present moment may be the highest in life but it is still within life.

106. Just do ...

Just do. Don’t try to know. Accord and flow with conditions and situations. Have no desire and craving to progress. Just cultivate sincerely with faith and persevere. This is wisdom.

107. Whatever that is rigid ...

Whatever that is rigid, is not the true Dharma.

108. True Dharma ...

True Dharma stands up to investigation and it is not rigid because it is an understanding which accords and flows with conditions.

109. Only Virtue ...

Only Virtue borne of cultivating the Noble 8-Fold path protects oneself. All your merits borne of your virtuous thoughts, speeches and actions protect you.

110. It is the thought ...

It is the thought that fears: Saṅkhāra movement is a projection of thoughts borne of self-delusion, and it is this (deluded thought) that conditions your fear. If you are just aware without the wrong thoughts, fear will cease.

111. Right duty is Right Dharma

Right duty is Right Dharma. We have a duty towards the Laws of Nature especially the Law of Karma. We should perform our duties with right understanding, wholesomeness and mindfulness. In this way we can be ever mindful and constantly meditative leading to heedfulness.

112. Without Yonisomanasikāra ...

Without Yonisomanasikāra (wise attention) at the moment of sense experience one will continue to cause immediate stirring and reaction of one’s mind, borne of habitual tendencies.

113. With Yonisomanasikāra ...

With Yonisomanasikāra, one’s mind will not stir and one will have more moments of space/silence between thoughts and peace leading to a stable mind that is in sati most of the time.

114. The 5 Mental Hindrances ...

The 5 Mental Hindrances impede/hinder us from entering the meditative state of inner peace and inner awareness, whereas the opposite 5 Spiritual faculties can let us understand spiritual teachings and support us in our cultivation.

115. This living being ...

This living being (the 5 aggregates of form and mind) may not be you but it is subject to karma. Therefore, we need to develop wisdom to use them with understanding to arise the appropriate right thoughts, right speeches, and right actions, to take care of karma, to be a blessing to all but not be deluded by it.

116. Both the conditioned and unconditioned Dharma ...

Both the conditioned and unconditioned Dharma must be understood to enable one to have the complete wisdom to truly understand and live life.

117. To be able to see “things as they are” ...

To be able to see “things as they are”, see “reality” and realize the “truth”, without the wrong perception arising through our memory-lens is true wisdom. This understanding is truly beautiful.

118. Everything is in a state of constant flux ...

Everything is in a state of constant flux within the existential, conditioned arising and dependent originating world.

119. Pañca Nivāraņa ...

Pañca Nivāraņa (5 mental Hindrances) – they are: sensual desire, ill-will, sloth & torpor, restlessness & worry and doubt or indecision. These mind states hinder our mind from entering the meditative states of inner peace, calmness and awareness. Therefore, to develop the meditation, we must cultivate the opposite 5 spiritual faculties to counter these mental hindrances, in order to enable us to understand spiritual teaching.

120. With Sati and Samādhi developed ...

With Sati and Samādhi developed, wisdom or paññā (the 5th spiritual faculty) will arise. With wisdom all the 5 mental hindrances will cease and the mind will be in the meditative state all the time naturally because no more mental hindrances.

121. Sense restraint borne of understanding ...

Sense restraint borne of understanding is very profound; it’s NOT blindly suppressing, controlling and bottling-up of one’s emotion without being aware of the evil roots that cause the internal conflict within oneself.

122. “Only wisdom frees, nothing else” ...

“Only wisdom frees, nothing else”. WISDOM is an understanding which is not rigid. Wisdom is not aKnowledge. Wisdom is having Right Understanding with regards to all the nature’s laws that govern all of life within this existential world of ours.

123. Having wisdom ...

Having wisdom will enable one to have Right View and right understanding to accept the reality of the present moment and not be attached to anything.

124. The true mind ...

The true mind never dies; our spiritual nature grows with wisdom.

125. Enlightenment can only be realized ...

Enlightenment can only be realized if one can transcend duality through wisdom – transcending good and evil, birth and death, right and wrong, etc. When wisdom arise, self-delusion (ignorance) that conditions craving is no more and it cannot arise.

126. When the form and mind realize itself and cease ...

When the form and mind realize itself and cease, it realizes Nibbāna and returns to the source (original mind/true nature/oneness nature).

127. From zero comes One ...

From zero comes One and this One is the 1st thought of ignorance that gives rise to infinity of subsequent creative consciousness. Inconceivable is the beginning of the first thought of ignorance that conditioned life.

128. This mundane mind ...

This mundane mind is a tool for one to come to this existential world and one must learn to use it with wisdom, but not be deceived by it.

129. One’s mind can only do one thing at a time ...

One’s mind can only do one thing at a time. Either one is silent and aware within or one is lost in thought (heedless).

130. What is a phenomenon?

Anything perceivable by the mind or senses is a phenomenon.

131. There are three basic phenomena ...

There are three basic phenomena i.e. physical phenomena, mental phenomena and nature’s phenomena.

132. There is no permanent unchanging entity ...

There is no permanent unchanging entity behind every phenomenon. That is why it is a just a phenomenal world of consciousness created by Mind (the mundane mind), hence not so real and not what one thinks.

133. When thoughts slow down ...

When thoughts slow down, there is less thinking, the mind is less clouded by perceptions, feelings, emotions and attachments due to less ignorance. Mindfulness will be more stable leading to clarity of mind, then the Direct Seeing of the reality or the phenomenal world (physical, mental and nature’s phenomena) will become very clear.

134. When the mind is silent ...

When the mind is silent, there is no word. The mind that is silent will insight into phenomena and awaken.

135. When the silent mind insight ...

When the silent mind insight into the TRUTH and the REALITY, it awakens. Then it can relate to the Dharma. Straight away one will understand what DHARMA is.

136. When one experiences the SILENT mind ...

When one experiences the SILENT mind or the TRUE mind, one will come to understand that without self-delusion, the TRUE mind (which is already naturally peaceful, still, silent and aware within) will not stir.

137. When one awakens to that state ...

When one awakens to that state, the TRUE mind can see things as they are, without words and conditioning.

138. While cultivating daily mindfulness ...

While cultivating daily mindfulness, do not try to know. The moment you are in SATI, your form and mind will understand.

139. One has to learn to accept people ...

One has to learn to accept people for what they are, to see things as they are. One has to come to terms with the reality of the moment, to accept WHAT IS.

140. Deluded people will say deluded things ...

Deluded people will say deluded things, angry people will say angry things, and selfish people will do selfish things. Hence people are just the way they are and the world is the world because when conditions are like that (such), the outcome of things will be like that too (such).

141. People are just the way they are ...

People are just the way they are, then one will not get angry with them because one can accept them for what they are even though what they say or do may not be right or appropriate.

142. When there is COMPLETE ACCEPTANCE of “what is” ...

When there is COMPLETE ACCEPTANCE of “what is”, one will be at peace, no more reaction of mind to condition anger, hatred, conflict, fear and suffering. This is Right View.

143. Thought, is consciousness ...

Thought, is consciousness (viññāṇa) and its contents (feeling/vedanā + perception/saññā, + mental activities/saṅkhāra, etc.) = the 5 mental aggregates of form and mind. These mental 5 aggregates of form and mind is your THOUGHT.

144. There are 4 English words used to explain Saṅkhāra ...

There are 4 English words used to explain Saṅkhāra and they are mental activities; mental volition/intention; mental states (moods & emotion) and mental formations (images). They still do not completely define saṅkhāra. In fact, everything that the mind can do (including your mental planning, scheming, cunningness, etc.) are part of saṅkhāra.

145. Saṅkhāra is the content of Consciousness ...

Saṅkhāra is the content of Consciousness (everything that the Mind can do is Saṅkhāra). Feeling and perception are also part of saṅkhāra. Consciousness is the receptacle. Therefore, in short, the 4 aggregates of mind (Nāma) are only Saṅkhāra + Consciousness (viññāṇa).

146. Everything you see ...

Everything you see and perceive is via your pure consciousness. Then you input the contents of consciousness to transform it into a thought (which is your 5 mental aggregates of form and mind). It is these 5 mental aggregates of form and mind that created the world and everything else that you come to perceive. All knowing come from mind. That is the reason why the Buddha said, “mind is the forerunner of all things”.

147. Ability to understand ...

Ability to understand the 5 mental aggregates of form and mind can free one’s mind from the “delusion of self”.

148. Self-delusion ...

Self-delusion or sakkāyadiṭṭhi is rooted out when one has penetrated the understanding, that this 5 aggregates of form and mind is dependent originating hence not a permanent unchanging entity, NOT REAL and NOT YOU.

149. Ability to see form ...

Ability to see form, the unreality and empty nature of form, will enable one to see beyond form. Understand clearly that forms are conditioned arising, go the way ofnature, hence Not Real because all forms exhibit the 3 universal characteristics of anicca, dukkha and anattā. Hence one must develop wisdom NOT to be deluded by form leading to non-attachment to form.

150. When mind comes into ...

When mind comes into contact with sense organ and their respective sense data, sense door consciousness will arise (or comes to be). Hence all sense door consciousness is dependent originating, just a condition arising causal phenomenon.

151. To see beyond mind ...

To see beyond mind, one must have the ability to develop the direct seeing via the silent mind in pure awareness, to see things as they are without words and concept. Mundane mind is consciousness and its contents (creations of mind). True mind is pure awareness before the perception or knowing. When wisdom arise the phenomena world of form and consciousness will have no power over you and they will like collapse in front of you.

152. Understanding the meaning of conditioned arising

Whatever that is born of nature’s creations, followingn ature’s laws is a conditioned arising, causal phenomenon. When conditions come together, it arises. When conditions continue to sustain itself, it will continue to exist. When conditions cease to be, it ceases. Hence it is not a permanent unchanging entity that you can hold on to. It is “not you”, “not Self”, for it comes and it goes dependent on nature’s conditions. It is in a state of flux. Constantly evolving.

153. The practice of “Letting Go” ...

The practice of “Letting Go” is a fallacy, an illusion based on dharma knowledge, dharma logic and not wisdom. The moment one awakens or understands, it is immediate and sudden, one is no longer deluded, hence one will not hold/cling anymore. When one cannot hold/cling, is there a need to let go? Who holds? Only the one who is deluded will hold via ignorance, so how can the deluded one really let go? Without wisdom one will continue to hold and cling because it is the thought that tries to practice letting go.

154. The ultimate TRUTH ...

The ultimate TRUTH is most of the time the opposite of what islogical.

155. The moment you are attentive ...

The moment you are attentive without thought you are already aware (in sati).

156. The Buddha taught ...

The Buddha taught Heedfulness and Mindfulness when it comes to Purification of Mind; whereas the Buddha’s first 2 advices on “Avoid ALL Evil, Do Good” are both thought-based involving the 4 right efforts.

157. The meaning of heedfulness ...

The meaning of heedfulness (appamāda) is as per Dhammapada verse 23: “The constantly meditative, ever mindful and the steadfastly ones, realize the bond-free,supreme nibbāna”. Hence, Heedfulness = ever mindful + constantly meditative (constantly cultivating the Noble 8-fold Path factors while in the midst of life).

158. The art of listening

Art of listening is when you are attentively listening without thought, that is true listening. When you listen without verbalization, without chattering, without any reaction from your knowledge and memory, that is the silent mind listening. You just listen with an open mind. Then whatever you listen you can absorb very clearly. You will not prejudge.

159. Spacious awareness

Spacious Awareness without a Centre, means this awareness (or the true mind) has No Dwelling or no Centre for the mind to dwell on. There is No Movement within, just aware in a formal meditative posture. This silent mind/true mind is one with the Oneness Nature. This awareness is non-active (with no movement) occurs mainly while in a formal meditative state.

160. Specific phenomenonawareness

When one is aware with specific phenomenon, the mind also does not dwell (because it is not lost in thoughts), the silent mind just flows with that specific phenomenon. This awareness is active and one can live life with this type of Specific Phenomenon Awareness in daily mindfulness with clear comprehension.

161. Direct seeing to see things as they are

This is the ability of the silent mind to see nature (or “What Is”) as they really are (without words); i.e. to see all phenomena as they really are. To see all physical, mental and nature’s flows. The mindfulness must be very stable to enable one to see clearly, the moment of its arising, its sustenance and passing away of all phenomena. There is no thought, no knowledge, no word involved, the silent mind just awakened. That is how the mind becomes enlightened and transformed.

Table of Contents

Preface

Acknowledgement

Biodata of Bro Teoh Kian Koon

Straight from the Heart Unique Dharma Quotes

1. Meditation supports

2. To realize our Self-nature

3. Meditation is ...

4. Meditation is ...

5. Therefore, just relax ...

6. Meditation as taught ...

7. Meditation must ...

8. Maintaining awareness

9. The meditative mind

10. To realize profound wisdom

11. Understanding Meditation

12. Wisdom

13. Solving problem

14. Develop wisdom ...

15. Whenever one ...

16. Develop mindfulness ...

17. If one ...

18. If one ...

19. Acceptance is wisdom

20. Noble Eight-Fold Path (N8FP) ...

21. If the meditation ...

22. TRUTH (or the 3 universal characteristics of nature) ...

23. The real SAMĀDHI

24. Understanding duality

25. Right view

26. Ability to see ...

27. Only mindful observation ...

28. What is thought?

29. Thought pertains ...

30. Memory

31. Space between thoughts

32. With a stable awareness ...

33. Awareness of negative thoughts

34. When there is ...

35. Your true nature

36. Without thought, ...

37. Without thought, ...

38. When you are ...

39. Your original state of mind ...

40. When you are ...

41. True action

42. To develop wisdom, ...

43. To Meditate is ...

44. The true mind

45. When mind is ...

46. Sense restraint

47. Understanding that ...

48. The realization ...

49. Just relax to ...

50. When one is ...

51. Silent mind in pure awareness

52. Our true mind ...

53. Yonisomanasikāra, ...

54. It is important ...

55. Realization of the ...

56. The one who ...

57. The Awareness nature ...

58. The 1st and 2nd turning wisdom ...

59. Whatever that arise ...

60. All knowing borne ...

61. To meditate, ...

62. The Timeless dharma

63. Heedful living verses heedless living

64. But with the meditative mind, ...

65. A very stable daily mindfulness ...

66. The pure viññāṇ ...

67. With sati ...

68. But without wisdom ...

69. Mundane mind and True mind

70. True Mind ...

71. Second aspect of 心为根本 ...

72. One must understand ...

73. Self-nature and the mundane mind

74. The USER of thought ...

75. Life destiny

76. To meditate is ...

77. The first two links of Paṭiccasamuppāda ...

78. For your meditative mind ...

79. When you walk ...

80. True Virtue ...

81. Real meditation ...

82. Originally before the stirring

83. Mundane mind without wisdom

84. Through ignorance ...

85. Suchnessor Tathatā

86. Yonisomanasikāraleading tosatisampajañña

87. Importance of faith, sincerity and perseverance

88. Karmically conditioned vehicle and tool (5 aggregates of form and mind)

89. To use this ‘form and mind’ ...

90. After having learnt the Dharma ...

91. The dharma learnt ...

92. A good daily religious routine ...

93. Once the mind enters sati ...

94. It is important to train our mind ...

95. It is important for ...

96. It is important for ...

97. Develop the initial wisdom ...

98. Make use of ...

99. Cultivate sati sampajañña ...

100. When one can see clearly ...

101. Sati sampajañña ...

102. Mindfulness with clear comprehension ...

103. With Sense restraint ...

104. Right thought ...

105. To have the ultimate realization ...

106. Just do ...

107. Whatever that is rigid ...

108. True Dharma ...

109. Only Virtue ...

110. It is the thought ...

111. Right duty is Right Dharma

112. Without Yonisomanasikāra ...

113. With Yonisomanasikāra ...

114. The 5 Mental Hindrances ...

115. This living being ...

116. Both the conditioned and unconditioned Dharma ...

117. To be able to see “things as they are” ...

118. Everything is in a state of constant flux ...

119. Pañca Nivāraņa ...

120. With Sati and Samādhi developed ...

121. Sense restraint borne of understanding ...

122. “Only wisdom frees, nothing else” ...

123. Having wisdom ...

124. The true mind ...

125. Enlightenment can only be realized ...

126. When the form and mind realize itself and cease ...

127. From zero comes One ...

128. This mundane mind ...

129. One’s mind can only do one thing at a time ...

130. What is a phenomenon?

131. There are three basic phenomena ...

132. There is no permanent unchanging entity ...

133. When thoughts slow down ...

134. When the mind is silent ...

135. When the silent mind insight ...

136. When one experiences the SILENT mind ...

137. When one awakens to that state ...

138. While cultivating daily mindfulness ...

139. One has to learn to accept people ...

140. Deluded people will say deluded things ...

141. People are just the way they are ...

142. When there is COMPLETE ACCEPTANCE of “what is” ...

143. Thought, is consciousness ...

144. There are 4 English words used to explain Saṅkhāra ...

145. Saṅkhāra is the content of Consciousness ...

146. Everything you see ...

147. Ability to understand ...

148. Self-delusion ...

149. Ability to see form ...

150. When mind comes into ...

151. To see beyond mind ...

152. Understanding the meaning of conditioned arising

153. The practice of “Letting Go” ...

154. The ultimate TRUTH ...

155. The moment you are attentive ...

156. The Buddha taught ...

157. The meaning of heedfulness ...

158. The art of listening

159. Spacious awareness

160. Specific phenomenonawareness

161. Direct seeing to see things as they are