Page 102 - Extinguishment of self, in search of dhamma
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in that taste emerge? Separate between “the taste that emerges” and “our mind”. We perceive sweetness, then it ceases. Sourness, then it ceases. Saltiness, then it ceases. Savoriness, then it ceases. Deliciousness, then it ceases.
It does not cease? Observe that the reason why the taste does not cease is that we are afraid that the taste will disappear. Therefore, we add new tastes quickly. Observe that we have not fully swallowed the food, but we already scoop up a new spoonful. As we start chewing, before swallowing, we feed in a new spoonful. This is like a factory, with things cycling through, cycling through. But, try this. Chew, chew, chew, and then swallow completely. Be still momentarily and contemplate: The most delicious taste—if it ceases—how do we feel? Our enjoyment in that taste declines immediately, and we will feel that the deliciousness is lessened and our attachment to tastes is reduced. This is our stopping in order to experience the void between tastes.
We should contemplate this way: For example, when the sour taste emerges, take an unburdened mind and place it there to see how the sourness ceases. When sweetness emerges, experience how the sweetness ceases. Even the sweetness that we keep in our mouth is not permanent. Everyone sitting here must have kept some lollipops in their mouths in the past. The lollipop tastes sweet, delicious, very much to our liking. As we continue to keep the lollipop in