Recognize that this body is as fragile as a jar. Make your mind as strong as a fortress, and fight against evil impulses with the sword of wisdom. Retain what you have conquered, and keep moving forward without tarrying. (Words of the Buddha)
At first glance, this might seem completely opposite to what we have been thinking about. We have just learned that “a solid, permanent self does not exist” and that “we must not be attached to anything.” Yet, here we are told to “make the mind strong” and “hold fast to what you have won.” It naturally makes us wonder which one is right.
However, when viewed through the lens of what we have learned so far, it all connects beautifully. To “fight against evil impulses” means not to be swept away by desire. The world is constantly changing, and we ourselves are the very flow of that change. But there is not just one current. There are countless paths, and depending on our state of mind, there are many possibilities for where the flow will take us next. Will we follow a path swept away by desire, or will we follow a path where our desires are controlled? Making the mind “strong” does not mean creating a mind that never changes. It means controlling ourselves so we do not drift along with our desires, and continuously changing while staying mindful and “moving forward without stopping.”
It is also said:
The mind is difficult to catch, unstable, and wanders wherever it pleases. It is good to control this mind, for a controlled mind brings happiness.
The mind is invisible, subtle, and wanders wherever it pleases. A wise person controls this mind, for a controlled mind brings happiness.
Did I manage to control my mind today? Did it wander as it pleased, hurting someone or even myself? Whether we succeeded or not, tomorrow is another day to gently tune our minds. In doing so, I hope a little more happiness will come our way.