‘The Buddha emphasised this point throughout his teachings: ‘Do not associate with bad friends, do not associate with the worst of people. Associate with good friends, associate with the best of people.’
The Dhammapada
Theravada
Morning meditation — Reflecting on the way it is brings into consciousness.
‘Reflecting on the way it is brings into consciousness what a lifespan as a human being involves.’
Ajahn Sumedho
Morning meditation — And for one who sees the cessation of the world as it truly is with wisdom.
‘And for one who sees the cessation of the world as it truly is with wisdom, There is no notion of existence.’
Kaccānagotta Sutta
Morning Meditation — To keep observing the nature of our thoughts generates a mind emptied of Dukkha.
‘To keep observing the nature of our thoughts generates a mind emptied of Dukkha, and so, is the very best knowledge there is. Through it we gain familiarity with the realization or awareness of emptiness.’
Buddhadasa Bhikkhu
Morning Meditation — Only one familiar with the observation of mind can really understand Dhamma.
‘The most essential meaning of the word ‘study’ is of the unceasing, dedicated observation and investigation of whatever arises in the mind, be it pleasant or unpleasant. Only one familiar with the observation of mind can really understand Dhamma.’
Buddhadasa Bhikkhu
Morning meditation — We can notice visual change and sound.
‘We establish loving-kindness with ourselves by not creating burdens out of what we have done in the past.’
Ajahn Sumedho
Morning meditation — Being born itself implies that we are going to be subject to different forces beyond our control.
‘Being born itself implies that we are going to be subject to different forces beyond our control. We can, of course, learn how to live more carefully, respecting life, not misusing our bodies, nor exploiting them.’
Ajahn Sumedho
Morning meditation — Even though we have that fruit in our hand we get no benefit from it.
‘Even though we have that fruit in our hand we get no benefit from it. Only through the actual eating of the fruit will we really know its taste.’
Ajahn Chah
Buddhism now 