--- title: "22 Meditation Quotes By Ajahn Chah" description: "22 Meditation quotes by Ajahn Chah. Plus more from Ajahn Chah and more Meditation sayings from other authors." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ab/ajahn-chah-4829_buddhism_when-sitting-in-meditation-say-that-s-no_216174.png" --- > [When sitting in meditation, say, "That's not my business!" with every thought that comes by.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/when-sitting-in-meditation-say-that-s-not-my-business-with-every/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ab/ajahn-chah-4829_buddhism_when-sitting-in-meditation-say-that-s-no_216174.png) > [If you haven't wept deeply, you haven't begun to meditate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/if-you-haven-t-wept-deeply-you-haven-t-begun-to-meditate/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01e/ajahn-chah-4829_buddhist_if-you-haven-t-wept-deeply-you-haven-t-b_1821443.png) > [If you haven't cried deeply a number of times, your meditation hasn't really begun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/if-you-haven-t-cried-deeply-a-number-of-times-your-meditation-hasn-t/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/368/ajahn-chah-4829_cried_if-you-haven-t-cried-deeply-a-number-of_2661453.png) > [Mindfulness is life. Whenever we don’t have mindfulness, when we are heedless, it’s as if we are dead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/mindfulness-is-life-whenever-we-don-t-have-mindfulness-when-we-are/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64f/ajahn-chah-4829_funny_mindfulness-is-life-whenever-we-don-t-ha_20466.png) > [If you have time to be mindful, you have time to meditate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/if-you-have-time-to-be-mindful-you-have-time-to-meditate/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e4/ajahn-chah-4829_meditate_if-you-have-time-to-be-mindful-you-have_1412.png) > [To practice Dhamma means to observe and examine oneself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/to-practice-dhamma-means-to-observe-and-examine-oneself/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/187/ajahn-chah-4829_inspirational_to-practice-dhamma-means-to-observe-and_2489276.png) > [Of course there are dozens of meditation techniques, but it all comes down to this - just let it all be. Step…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/of-course-there-are-dozens-of-meditation-techniques-but-it-all-comes/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c17/ajahn-chah-4829_battle_of-course-there-are-dozens-of-meditation_311397.png) > [Proper effort is not the effort to make something particular happen. It is the effort to be aware and awake each moment,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/proper-effort-is-not-the-effort-to-make-something-particular-happen/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e8/ajahn-chah-4829_activity_proper-effort-is-not-the-effort-to-make_229013.png) > [Don’t be attached to visions or lights in meditation, don’t rise or fall with them. What’s so great about brightness? My flashlight…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/don-t-be-attached-to-visions-or-lights-in-meditation-don-t-rise-or/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/89c/ajahn-chah-4829_brightness_don-t-be-attached-to-visions-or-lights-i_2411864.png) > [“The Buddha told his disciple Ananda to see impermanence, to see death with every breath. We must know death; we must die…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/the-buddha-told-his-disciple-ananda-to-see-impermanence-to-see-death/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95f/ajahn-chah-4829_awakening_the-buddha-told-his-disciple-ananda-to-s_1171408.jpg) > [The mind of one who practises doesn't run away anywhere, it stays right there. Good, evil, happiness and unhappiness, right and wrong…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/the-mind-of-one-who-practises-doesn-t-run-away-anywhere-it-stays/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6d4/ajahn-chah-4829_arise_the-mind-of-one-who-practises-doesn-t-ru_1634664.jpg) > [Just go into the room, sit in the centre of the room, open the doors and windows, and see who comes to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/just-go-into-the-room-sit-in-the-centre-of-the-room-open-the-doors/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/82f/ajahn-chah-4829_actors_just-go-into-the-room-sit-in-the-centre_3192664.jpg) > [Meditation is like a single log of wood. Insight and investigation are one end of the log; calm and concentration are the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/meditation-is-like-a-single-log-of-wood-insight-and-investigation-are/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f1/ajahn-chah-4829_both-sides_meditation-is-like-a-single-log-of-wood_971305.png) > [You say that you are too busy to meditate. Do you have time to breathe? Meditation is your breath. Why do you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/you-say-that-you-are-too-busy-to-meditate-do-you-have-time-to-breathe-2/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2bc/ajahn-chah-4829_breathe_you-say-that-you-are-too-busy-to-meditat_3165583.png) > [Practicing meditation is just like breathing. While working we breathe, while sleeping we breathe, while sitting down we breathe... Why do we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/practicing-meditation-is-just-like-breathing-while-working-we-breathe/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/65d/ajahn-chah-4829_breathe_practicing-meditation-is-just-like-breat_1407912.jpg) > [When we sit in meditation and hear a sound, we think, 'Oh, that sound's bothering me.' If we see it like this,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/when-we-sit-in-meditation-and-hear-a-sound-we-think-oh-that-sound-s/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/259/ajahn-chah-4829_bother_when-we-sit-in-meditation-and-hear-a-sou_1938923.png) > [If your mind is happy then you are happy anywhere you go. When wisdom awakens within you, you will see Truth wherever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/if-your-mind-is-happy-then-you-are-happy-anywhere-you-go-when-wisdom/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c14/ajahn-chah-4829_happiness_if-your-mind-is-happy-then-you-are-happy_2413793.jpg) > [“Even though some of you may experience some peace when you sit in meditation, don’t be in a hurry to congratulate yourselves.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/even-though-some-of-you-may-experience-some-peace-when-you-sit-in/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f9e/ajahn-chah-4829_good-and-bad_even-though-some-of-you-may-experience-s_2994339.png) > [Don't think that only sitting with the eyes closed is practice. If you do think this way, then quickly change your thinking.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/don-t-think-that-only-sitting-with-the-eyes-closed-is-practice-if-you/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3cd/ajahn-chah-4829_attitude_don-t-think-that-only-sitting-with-the-e_3229861.jpg) > [Regarding this Dhamma, it is not something that we can simply talk about or take another's word for it. We need to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/regarding-this-dhamma-it-is-not-something-that-we-can-simply-talk/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e76/ajahn-chah-4829_arise_regarding-this-dhamma-it-is-not-somethin_278372.png) > [To observe and watch one's own mind is something really interesting. The untrained mind will run and follow its old habit patterns.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/to-observe-and-watch-one-s-own-mind-is-something-really-interesting/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/288/ajahn-chah-4829_all-kinds_to-observe-and-watch-one-s-own-mind-is-s_2246975.png) > [We have limited time in our life, therefore we should try to teach ourselves, not to teach others. We should conquer ourselves,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/we-have-limited-time-in-our-life-therefore-we-should-try-to-teach/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cdb/ajahn-chah-4829_arise_we-have-limited-time-in-our-life-therefo_555920.png) ## Other authors on Meditation - [ ![](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/uploads/sms4s/authors/processed/b010/author-frederick-lenz-36205.jpg) Frederick Lenz 618 quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meditation/frederick-lenz/) - [ ![](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/uploads/sms4s/authors/processed/b020/author-rajneesh-77002.jpg) Rajneesh 339 quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meditation/rajneesh/) - [ ![](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/uploads/sms4s/authors/processed/b018/author-nirmala-srivastava-71652.jpg) Nirmala Srivastava 302 quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meditation/nirmala-srivastava/) - [ ![](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/uploads/sms4s/authors/processed/b022/author-sharon-salzberg-84572.jpg) Sharon Salzberg 180 quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meditation/sharon-salzberg/) - [ ![](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/uploads/sms4s/authors/processed/b012/author-jaggi-vasudev-45888.jpg) Jaggi Vasudev 155 quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meditation/jaggi-vasudev/) - [ ![](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/uploads/sms4s/authors/processed/b007/author-darren-main-26909.jpg) Darren Main 108 quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meditation/darren-main/) - [Swami Dhyan Giten 87 quotes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meditation/swami-dhyan-giten/) - [ ![](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/uploads/sms4s/authors/processed/b004/author-amit-ray-12354.jpg) Amit Ray 79 quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meditation/amit-ray/) - [ ![](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/uploads/sms4s/authors/processed/b019/author-pema-chodron-74476.jpg) Pema Chödrön 74 quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meditation/pema-ch-dr-n/) - [ ![](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/uploads/sms4s/authors/processed/b010/author-gautama-buddha-37107.jpg) Gautama Buddha 71 quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meditation/gautama-buddha/) - [ ![](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/uploads/sms4s/authors/processed/b001/author-jon-kabat-zinn-1327.jpg) Jon Kabat-Zinn 67 quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meditation/jon-kabat-zinn/) - [ ![](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/uploads/sms4s/authors/processed/b017/author-mata-amritanandamayi-65340.jpg) Mata Amritanandamayi 64 quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meditation/mata-amritanandamayi/) ## More by Ajahn Chah > [If you have time to be mindful, you have time to meditate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/if-you-have-time-to-be-mindful-you-have-time-to-meditate/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) > [Letting go a little brings a little peace. Letting go a lot brings a lot of peace. Letting go completely brings complete peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/letting-go-a-little-brings-a-little-peace-letting-go-a-lot-brings-a/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) > [Mindfulness is life. Whenever we don’t have mindfulness, when we are heedless, it’s as if we are dead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/mindfulness-is-life-whenever-we-don-t-have-mindfulness-when-we-are/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) > [We don't meditate to see heaven, but to end suffering.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/we-don-t-meditate-to-see-heaven-but-to-end-suffering/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) > [Some people are afraid of generosity. They feel they will be taken advantage of or oppressed. In cultivating generosity, we are only oppressing our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/some-people-are-afraid-of-generosity-they-feel-they-will-be-taken/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) > [Anything which is troubling you, anything which is irritating you, THAT is your teacher.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/anything-which-is-troubling-you-anything-which-is-irritating-you-that/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) > [Know and watch your heart. It's pure but emotions come to colour it. So let your mind be like a tightly woven net to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/know-and-watch-your-heart-it-s-pure-but-emotions-come-to-colour-it-so/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) > [A woman wanted to know how to deal with anger. I asked when anger arose whose anger it was. She said it was hers.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/a-woman-wanted-to-know-how-to-deal-with-anger-i-asked-when-anger/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) > [Sati is life. Whenever we don't have sati, when we are heedless, it's as if we are dead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/sati-is-life-whenever-we-don-t-have-sati-when-we-are-heedless-it-s-as/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) > [In practice, some come to see easily, some with difficulty. But whatever the case, never mind. Difficult or easy, the Buddha said not to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/in-practice-some-come-to-see-easily-some-with-difficulty-but-whatever/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) > [When sitting in meditation, say, "That's not my business!" with every thought that comes by.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/when-sitting-in-meditation-say-that-s-not-my-business-with-every/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) > [Proper effort is not the effort to make something particular happen. It is the effort to be aware and awake each moment, the effort…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/proper-effort-is-not-the-effort-to-make-something-particular-happen/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) > [Regarding this Dhamma, it is not something that we can simply talk about or take another's word for it. We need to develop meditation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/regarding-this-dhamma-it-is-not-something-that-we-can-simply-talk/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) > [These days people don't search for the Truth. People study simply in order to find knowledge necessary to make a living, raise families and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/these-days-people-don-t-search-for-the-truth-people-study-simply-in/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) > [Things are simply the way they are. They don't give us suffering. Like a thorn: Does a sharp thorn give us suffering? No. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/things-are-simply-the-way-they-are-they-don-t-give-us-suffering-like/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "ItemList", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meditation/ajahn-chah/#itemlist", "name": "22 Meditation Quotes By Ajahn Chah", "numberOfItems": 22, "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When sitting in meditation, say, \"That's not my business!\" with every thought that comes by.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ajahn Chah" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/when-sitting-in-meditation-say-that-s-not-my-business-with-every/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ab/ajahn-chah-4829_buddhism_when-sitting-in-meditation-say-that-s-no_216174.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ab/ajahn-chah-4829_buddhism_when-sitting-in-meditation-say-that-s-no_216174.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ab/ajahn-chah-4829_buddhism_when-sitting-in-meditation-say-that-s-no_216174.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When sitting in meditation, say, \"That's not my business!\" with every thought that comes by.” — Ajahn Chah", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If you haven't wept deeply, you haven't begun to meditate.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ajahn Chah" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/if-you-haven-t-wept-deeply-you-haven-t-begun-to-meditate/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01e/ajahn-chah-4829_buddhist_if-you-haven-t-wept-deeply-you-haven-t-b_1821443.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01e/ajahn-chah-4829_buddhist_if-you-haven-t-wept-deeply-you-haven-t-b_1821443.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01e/ajahn-chah-4829_buddhist_if-you-haven-t-wept-deeply-you-haven-t-b_1821443.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If you haven't wept deeply, you haven't begun to meditate.” — Ajahn Chah", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If you haven't cried deeply a number of times, your meditation hasn't really begun.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ajahn Chah" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/if-you-haven-t-cried-deeply-a-number-of-times-your-meditation-hasn-t/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/368/ajahn-chah-4829_cried_if-you-haven-t-cried-deeply-a-number-of_2661453.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/368/ajahn-chah-4829_cried_if-you-haven-t-cried-deeply-a-number-of_2661453.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/368/ajahn-chah-4829_cried_if-you-haven-t-cried-deeply-a-number-of_2661453.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If you haven't cried deeply a number of times, your meditation hasn't really begun.” — Ajahn Chah", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Mindfulness is life. Whenever we don’t have mindfulness, when we are heedless, it’s as if we are dead.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ajahn Chah" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/mindfulness-is-life-whenever-we-don-t-have-mindfulness-when-we-are/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64f/ajahn-chah-4829_funny_mindfulness-is-life-whenever-we-don-t-ha_20466.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64f/ajahn-chah-4829_funny_mindfulness-is-life-whenever-we-don-t-ha_20466.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64f/ajahn-chah-4829_funny_mindfulness-is-life-whenever-we-don-t-ha_20466.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Mindfulness is life. 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Step over here where it is cool, out of the battle. Why not give it a try?", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ajahn Chah" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/of-course-there-are-dozens-of-meditation-techniques-but-it-all-comes/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c17/ajahn-chah-4829_battle_of-course-there-are-dozens-of-meditation_311397.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c17/ajahn-chah-4829_battle_of-course-there-are-dozens-of-meditation_311397.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c17/ajahn-chah-4829_battle_of-course-there-are-dozens-of-meditation_311397.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Of course there are dozens of meditation techniques, but it all comes down to this - just let it all be…” — Ajahn Chah", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 8, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Proper effort is not the effort to make something particular happen. It is the effort to be aware and awake each moment, the effort to overcome laziness and merit, the effort to make each activity of our day meditation.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ajahn Chah" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/proper-effort-is-not-the-effort-to-make-something-particular-happen/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e8/ajahn-chah-4829_activity_proper-effort-is-not-the-effort-to-make_229013.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e8/ajahn-chah-4829_activity_proper-effort-is-not-the-effort-to-make_229013.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e8/ajahn-chah-4829_activity_proper-effort-is-not-the-effort-to-make_229013.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Proper effort is not the effort to make something particular happen. It is the effort to be aware and awake…” — Ajahn Chah", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 9, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Don’t be attached to visions or lights in meditation, don’t rise or fall with them. What’s so great about brightness? My flashlight has it. It can’t help us rid ourselves of our suffering.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ajahn Chah" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/don-t-be-attached-to-visions-or-lights-in-meditation-don-t-rise-or/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/89c/ajahn-chah-4829_brightness_don-t-be-attached-to-visions-or-lights-i_2411864.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/89c/ajahn-chah-4829_brightness_don-t-be-attached-to-visions-or-lights-i_2411864.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/89c/ajahn-chah-4829_brightness_don-t-be-attached-to-visions-or-lights-i_2411864.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Don’t be attached to visions or lights in meditation, don’t rise or fall with them. What’s so great about…” — Ajahn Chah", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 10, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“The Buddha told his disciple Ananda to see impermanence, to see death with every breath. We must know death; we must die in order to live. What does that mean? To die is to come to the end of our doubts, all our questions, and just be here with the present reality. You can never die tomorrow; you must die now. Can you do it? If you can do it, you will know the peace of no more questions.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ajahn Chah" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/the-buddha-told-his-disciple-ananda-to-see-impermanence-to-see-death/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95f/ajahn-chah-4829_awakening_the-buddha-told-his-disciple-ananda-to-s_1171408.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95f/ajahn-chah-4829_awakening_the-buddha-told-his-disciple-ananda-to-s_1171408.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95f/ajahn-chah-4829_awakening_the-buddha-told-his-disciple-ananda-to-s_1171408.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The Buddha told his disciple Ananda to see impermanence, to see death with every breath. We must know death…” — Ajahn Chah", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 11, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The mind of one who practises doesn't run away anywhere, it stays right there. Good, evil, happiness and unhappiness, right and wrong arise, and he knows them all. The meditator simply knows them, they don't enter his mind. That is, he has no clinging. He is simply the experiencer.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ajahn Chah" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/the-mind-of-one-who-practises-doesn-t-run-away-anywhere-it-stays/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6d4/ajahn-chah-4829_arise_the-mind-of-one-who-practises-doesn-t-ru_1634664.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6d4/ajahn-chah-4829_arise_the-mind-of-one-who-practises-doesn-t-ru_1634664.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6d4/ajahn-chah-4829_arise_the-mind-of-one-who-practises-doesn-t-ru_1634664.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The mind of one who practises doesn't run away anywhere, it stays right there. Good, evil, happiness and…” — Ajahn Chah", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 12, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Just go into the room, sit in the centre of the room, open the doors and windows, and see who comes to visit. You will witness all kinds of scenes and actors, all kinds of temptations and stories, everything imaginable. Your only job is to stay in your seat. You will see it all arise and pass, and out of this, wisdom and understanding will come.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ajahn Chah" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/just-go-into-the-room-sit-in-the-centre-of-the-room-open-the-doors/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/82f/ajahn-chah-4829_actors_just-go-into-the-room-sit-in-the-centre_3192664.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/82f/ajahn-chah-4829_actors_just-go-into-the-room-sit-in-the-centre_3192664.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/82f/ajahn-chah-4829_actors_just-go-into-the-room-sit-in-the-centre_3192664.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Just go into the room, sit in the centre of the room, open the doors and windows, and see who comes to…” — Ajahn Chah", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 13, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Meditation is like a single log of wood. Insight and investigation are one end of the log; calm and concentration are the other end. If you lift up the whole log, both sides come up at once. Which is concentration and which is insight? Just this mind.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ajahn Chah" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/meditation-is-like-a-single-log-of-wood-insight-and-investigation-are/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f1/ajahn-chah-4829_both-sides_meditation-is-like-a-single-log-of-wood_971305.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f1/ajahn-chah-4829_both-sides_meditation-is-like-a-single-log-of-wood_971305.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f1/ajahn-chah-4829_both-sides_meditation-is-like-a-single-log-of-wood_971305.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Meditation is like a single log of wood. Insight and investigation are one end of the log; calm and…” — Ajahn Chah", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 14, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "You say that you are too busy to meditate. Do you have time to breathe? Meditation is your breath. Why do you have time to breathe but not to meditate? Breathing is something vital to peoples lives. If you see that Dhamma practice is vital to your life, then you will feel that breathing and practising the Dhamma are equally important.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ajahn Chah" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/you-say-that-you-are-too-busy-to-meditate-do-you-have-time-to-breathe-2/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2bc/ajahn-chah-4829_breathe_you-say-that-you-are-too-busy-to-meditat_3165583.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2bc/ajahn-chah-4829_breathe_you-say-that-you-are-too-busy-to-meditat_3165583.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2bc/ajahn-chah-4829_breathe_you-say-that-you-are-too-busy-to-meditat_3165583.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“You say that you are too busy to meditate. Do you have time to breathe? Meditation is your breath. Why do…” — Ajahn Chah", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 15, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Practicing meditation is just like breathing. While working we breathe, while sleeping we breathe, while sitting down we breathe... Why do we have time to breathe? Because we see the importance of the breath, we can always find time to breathe. In the same way, if we see the importance of meditation practice we will find the time to practice.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ajahn Chah" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/practicing-meditation-is-just-like-breathing-while-working-we-breathe/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/65d/ajahn-chah-4829_breathe_practicing-meditation-is-just-like-breat_1407912.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/65d/ajahn-chah-4829_breathe_practicing-meditation-is-just-like-breat_1407912.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/65d/ajahn-chah-4829_breathe_practicing-meditation-is-just-like-breat_1407912.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Practicing meditation is just like breathing. While working we breathe, while sleeping we breathe, while…” — Ajahn Chah", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 16, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When we sit in meditation and hear a sound, we think, 'Oh, that sound's bothering me.' If we see it like this, we suffer. But if we investigate a little deeper, we see that the sound is simply sound. If we understand like this, then there's nothing more to it. We leave it be. The sound is just sound, why should you go and grab it? You see that actually it was you who went out and disturbed the sound.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ajahn Chah" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/when-we-sit-in-meditation-and-hear-a-sound-we-think-oh-that-sound-s/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/259/ajahn-chah-4829_bother_when-we-sit-in-meditation-and-hear-a-sou_1938923.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/259/ajahn-chah-4829_bother_when-we-sit-in-meditation-and-hear-a-sou_1938923.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/259/ajahn-chah-4829_bother_when-we-sit-in-meditation-and-hear-a-sou_1938923.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When we sit in meditation and hear a sound, we think, 'Oh, that sound's bothering me.' If we see it like…” — Ajahn Chah", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 17, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If your mind is happy then you are happy anywhere you go. When wisdom awakens within you, you will see Truth wherever you look. Truth is all there is. It's like when you learned how to read, you can then read anywhere you go.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ajahn Chah" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/if-your-mind-is-happy-then-you-are-happy-anywhere-you-go-when-wisdom/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c14/ajahn-chah-4829_happiness_if-your-mind-is-happy-then-you-are-happy_2413793.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c14/ajahn-chah-4829_happiness_if-your-mind-is-happy-then-you-are-happy_2413793.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c14/ajahn-chah-4829_happiness_if-your-mind-is-happy-then-you-are-happy_2413793.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If your mind is happy then you are happy anywhere you go. When wisdom awakens within you, you will see Truth…” — Ajahn Chah", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 18, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Even though some of you may experience some peace when you sit in meditation, don’t be in a hurry to congratulate yourselves. Likewise, if there is some confusion, don’t blame yourselves. If things seem to be good, don’t delight in them, and if they’re not good don’t be averse to them. Just look at it all, look at what you have. Just look, don’t bother judging. If it’s good, don’t hold fast to it; if it’s bad, don’t cling to it. Good and bad can both bite, so don’t hold fast to them.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ajahn Chah" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/even-though-some-of-you-may-experience-some-peace-when-you-sit-in/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f9e/ajahn-chah-4829_good-and-bad_even-though-some-of-you-may-experience-s_2994339.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f9e/ajahn-chah-4829_good-and-bad_even-though-some-of-you-may-experience-s_2994339.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f9e/ajahn-chah-4829_good-and-bad_even-though-some-of-you-may-experience-s_2994339.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Even though some of you may experience some peace when you sit in meditation, don’t be in a hurry to…” — Ajahn Chah", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 19, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Don't think that only sitting with the eyes closed is practice. If you do think this way, then quickly change your thinking. Steady practice is keeping mindful in every posture, whether sitting, walking, standing or lying down. When coming out of sitting, don't think that you're coming out of meditation, but that you are only changing postures. If you reflect in this way, you will have peace. Wherever you are, you will have this attitude of practice with you constantly. You will have a steady awareness within yourself.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ajahn Chah" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/don-t-think-that-only-sitting-with-the-eyes-closed-is-practice-if-you/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3cd/ajahn-chah-4829_attitude_don-t-think-that-only-sitting-with-the-e_3229861.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3cd/ajahn-chah-4829_attitude_don-t-think-that-only-sitting-with-the-e_3229861.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3cd/ajahn-chah-4829_attitude_don-t-think-that-only-sitting-with-the-e_3229861.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Don't think that only sitting with the eyes closed is practice. If you do think this way, then quickly…” — Ajahn Chah", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 20, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Regarding this Dhamma, it is not something that we can simply talk about or take another's word for it. We need to develop meditation so that the understanding arises clearly within oneself. It is not the case that merely by listening to another's explanation our defilements will disappear. When we gain some understanding we need to chew on it again so that we see it for ourselves with certainty: paccattam.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ajahn Chah" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/regarding-this-dhamma-it-is-not-something-that-we-can-simply-talk/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e76/ajahn-chah-4829_arise_regarding-this-dhamma-it-is-not-somethin_278372.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e76/ajahn-chah-4829_arise_regarding-this-dhamma-it-is-not-somethin_278372.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e76/ajahn-chah-4829_arise_regarding-this-dhamma-it-is-not-somethin_278372.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Regarding this Dhamma, it is not something that we can simply talk about or take another's word for it. We…” — Ajahn Chah", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 21, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "To observe and watch one's own mind is something really interesting. The untrained mind will run and follow its old habit patterns. Because it has not been trained and taught, it will get lost in all kinds of stories and issues. Therefore we have to train our mind. The meditation practice in Buddhism is all about training one's own mind.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ajahn Chah" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/to-observe-and-watch-one-s-own-mind-is-something-really-interesting/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/288/ajahn-chah-4829_all-kinds_to-observe-and-watch-one-s-own-mind-is-s_2246975.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/288/ajahn-chah-4829_all-kinds_to-observe-and-watch-one-s-own-mind-is-s_2246975.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/288/ajahn-chah-4829_all-kinds_to-observe-and-watch-one-s-own-mind-is-s_2246975.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“To observe and watch one's own mind is something really interesting. The untrained mind will run and follow…” — Ajahn Chah", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 22, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We have limited time in our life, therefore we should try to teach ourselves, not to teach others. We should conquer ourselves, rather than conquer others. Whether coming or going, standing, sitting or lying down, our mind should be focused in this way. If we practise like this and develop mindfulness continuously, wisdom arises quickly and this is a fast way of practice.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ajahn Chah" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/we-have-limited-time-in-our-life-therefore-we-should-try-to-teach/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cdb/ajahn-chah-4829_arise_we-have-limited-time-in-our-life-therefo_555920.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cdb/ajahn-chah-4829_arise_we-have-limited-time-in-our-life-therefo_555920.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cdb/ajahn-chah-4829_arise_we-have-limited-time-in-our-life-therefo_555920.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We have limited time in our life, therefore we should try to teach ourselves, not to teach others. We should…” — Ajahn Chah", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } } ] }, { "@type": "CollectionPage", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meditation/ajahn-chah/#webpage", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meditation/ajahn-chah/", "name": "Meditation Quotes by Ajahn Chah", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meditation/ajahn-chah/#itemlist" }, "primaryImageOfPage": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ab/ajahn-chah-4829_buddhism_when-sitting-in-meditation-say-that-s-no_216174.png" }, "description": "22 Meditation quotes by Ajahn Chah. 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