101. One may not be skilled in the habit of other’s thoughts but at least one can make this resolve: ‘I will be skilled in the habit of my own thoughts.’ This is how you should train yourself, and this is how it is done. A woman, a man, or a youth fond of adornment, examining their reflection in a bright, clear mirror or a bowl of clear water might see a blemish or pimple and try to remove it. And when they see it is no longer there, they would be pleased and satisfied and think; ‘It is an advantage to be unblemished.’ In the same way, one’s introspection is most fruitful in good states when one thinks: ‘Am I usually greedy or hateful, overcome by sloth and laziness, with an agitated mind, filled with doubt or anger, or am I not? Do I usually live with soiled thoughts, or with clean thoughts, with body passionate or not, sluggish or full of energy, uncontrolled or well controlled?’ If, on self-examination, one finds that one does live with these evil unprofitable states, then one must put forth extra desire, effort, endeavor, exertion, energy, awareness and attention to abandon them. And if on self-examination one finds that one does not live with the evil unprofitable states, one should make an effort to establish those profitable states and further destroy the defilements.
A.V,92 (AN 10.51)
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