Though a tree is cut from its base, there is a tendency for it to grow again because of the roots underneath. Likewise, one’s defilements can also sprout until they are completely eliminated. That is because one doesn’t understand the cause and effect method properly. The effect is the thought, that appears in the mind. Explore the cause of the thought. Then your mind becomes clear and radiant.

When exploring the mind, one realizes there’s an attachment and further an ego behind everything. There are only two reasons behind the non-realization of the cause and effect method; ego (clinging to things as myself and mine) and attachment to worldly possessions. We remain attached to many things in our life because the concept of ego has deeply existed in our mind.

If someone doesn’t see the cause and effect method clearly, the reason behind is the concept of ego. The idea of ego. Until the ego exists in the mind, no one can see the truth, the path to the enlightenment. If you need to realize the pathway, explore the effects of your thoughts with a clear and lucid mind.

For example, while having a cup of tea, we feel there’s not enough sugar in the tea. A thought then comes to our mind about insufficient sugar. Why did it come to the mind? Because, we have a past memory of tea with enough sugar. Now think, the effect here is the thought of insufficient sugar. The cause is the past memory of sufficient sugar. Every effect is born until there’s a cause. The cause and effect method should be explored mentally because the Dhamma is based on the mind.

The Buddhist teaching is based on the mind. When you understand the cause, the effect disappears. The anger comes to the mind as we cannot fulfill the various needs the mind expects. The desire comes to the mind as we expect a repetition of the past memory. The effect is the desire. The cause is the thought of desire. Likewise, develop a clear mind by overcoming the ego. That is ‘Chiththaanupassanaawa’ (seeking the cause mindfully).

When you apply this to life, you will realize the cause and effect method. Buddhism is a Dhamma, which is realized by yourself, not a knowledge gained by referring to books. But, nowadays, there is a tendency in society to convert Buddhism into a ‘knowledge’. No one practices or explores it.

Explore the Dhamma which calms your mind. Always seek the cause behind, not the effect. If someone practices this deep observation which has been preached in Buddhism, he can attain noble stages and ultimately attain enlightenment. Do an impartial observation on why thoughts appear in the mind and why desire and anger comes to the mind. When you start that observation, you get the noble path clear, the reverse thinking. You should be diligent to realize this pathway. Keep your mind attentive in the deep observation. Making the mind clearer is compulsory to develop it. If someone’s mind is confused, he will never realize the Dhamma.

A person’s mind becomes confused due to the ‘Panchaneewarana’ (five factors which cover the enlightenment) such as desire, anger lethargy, restlessness and doubt. When the mind is trapped by these factors, the pathway becomes obscure. It is, therefore, important to have an understanding of these when walking through this pathway.