Page 124 - Extinguishment of self, in search of dhamma

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elevate our mind into tranquility—that changes our state of mind. It is like the natural condition of the state of serene contemplation (jhana), which we can change. If we know the way, we can change our thought process (vithicitta). But, it is not like we can choose every time. If the natural condition is like that, then it is like that. If we cannot inject happiness; if we cannot inject serenity—it remains neutral, that is the natural condition. But, in general, we can change.
As they say that for the state of serene contemplation (jhana) levels 4, 5, 6—when we reach them, we wish to leap over to other levels. To elevate our mind into different levels of the state of serene contemplation—if we can recall the neutral tastes of any particular level—we can move there straight away. This, we can choose. But, the Three Characteristics of Being (Trilaksana) or the emergence- cessation phenomenon, we cannot choose. The strength factor (bala), the state of the mind—we can change. And, we should change. That is why I said that we should elevate our mind—elevate it from unwholesomeness, elevate it into wholesomeness. If we let it go according to the way of kamma (yatha-kamma), then it will take quite long.
Therefore, that is why we can make our mind unburdened quickly—that is the elevation of the mind. The elevation of the mind starts with the separation of the physical and mental phenomena. When we sit still and elevate our mind into emptiness, then we experience that