About This Teaching
Ajahn Maha Boowa observes that what remains of Buddhism today is largely the Buddha's words, while genuine practice has been worn away by the kilesas, the mind's defilements. Most people make no effort to resist them; lacking mindfulness, they let these forces direct their thinking, speech and actions, and so remain burdened with dukkha (suffering).
He contrasts this with the Buddha's direct disciples, who, whatever their background, changed their ways of thinking, acting and speaking and gave all their energy to cleansing their hearts. Earnest effort, he explains, means keeping continuous mindful watch over the mind in every posture, which is right effort. Because the kilesas keep producing thoughts of past and future, meditators should turn away from worldly concerns and attend inwardly to the mind.