The Venerable Kalyano begins by recalling the teaching of the Buddha, “Abandon evil, cultivate the good, purify your mind”. He explains that “evil” here means “unwholesome mental states”, and that the unwholesomeness is that these mental states agitate the mind. No one enjoys having an agitated mind. In contrast, the “good” are wholesome mental states. These are mental states that bring calm and peaceful feelings. For example, greed, an unwholesome mental state, keeps the mind in motion and can, in extreme versions, even drive one to attack others. Even when greed is more subtle, it prevents the mind from resting. In contrast, contentment is a pleasant, restful state of mind.
To cultivate a peaceful mind, one must practice letting go of unwholesome states and sustaining wholesome ones. This is done through mindfulness meditation, which develops the ability to recognize thoughts as they arise and let them go. If thoughts become strong, they may spiral into mental proliferation, causing distraction and exhaustion. However, with consistent mindfulness, one can abandon unnecessary thinking and regain focus. With enough practice, it becomes possible to sense a thought forming and release it before it fully appears—just as one might start to speak but then remain silent. This practice relies on Right Effort, as it takes sustained discipline, and on Right View, as one must understand its purpose. Fortunately, it becomes easier over time.
The breath is a traditional object of meditation, but since it can be subtle, some may find it difficult to focus on. Other meditation objects include reflecting on generosity, ethical conduct, or the qualities of the Buddha. However, Ven. Kalyano recommends meditating on impermanence.
Impermanence is a core teaching of Buddhism and an antidote to clinging. As a meditation practice, one can observe how thoughts and sensations constantly arise, change, and fade. If something distracts you—such as knee pain or anxiety—you can investigate its impermanence: Is this feeling constant? How does it change? Training the mind to see that nothing stays the same makes it easier to let go of them and return to a state of peace.
The recollection of impermanence can be applied more broadly. Quoting Ajahn Chah, Ven. Kalyano reminds us that “the cup is already broken”—everything, including our own bodies, will inevitably change and fade. He likens the body to an ice cube, solid at first but slowly melting away until it is gone. These reflections can help one develop states of calm. If the mind is at peace with the truth of impermanence, then that creates a separation between the mind and objects, and between the mind and thoughts. That helps in abandoning unwholesome states of mind and can help us cultivate a peaceful mind.
In our group discussion, we reflected on this emphasis on impermanence. Some found contemplating impermanence challenging, as our collective culture resists this truth, values the opposite, and constantly offers new things to cling to. However, many appreciated the talk’s practical and actionable focus, particularly the guidance on mindfulness and how it helps cultivate a peaceful mind.
Scroll down to listen to Ajahn Kalyano’s talk. Happy Learning!
From the Teachers: Finding Peace in Impermanence
Dharma Video:
“A Peaceful Mind Emerges From The Right Causes” by Ajahn Kalyano*
* Venerable Ajahn Kalyano was born in the UK and began practicing meditation regularly at university. He traveled to Thailand in 1983 to seek out a meditation teacher. He entered the community of monks at Ven. Ajahn Chah’s monastery, Wat Nong Pa Pong in 1985 and spent long periods of time helping to nurse Ven. Ajahn Chah through his extended period of illness. He began training under Ven. Ajahn Anan in 1991 and continued his work in translating Dhamma teachings from Ven. Ajahn Chah and other forest Ajahns. He also spent much of his early years practicing in the ascetic tradition of a wandering “dhutanga” monk in the forests of Thailand.
In April 2001, Ven. Ajahn Kalyano was invited to travel to Melboune, Australia to be the Abbot and resident teacher of the Buddha Bodhivana Monastery. In 2008 he was given the title of Upajjhaya or Preceptor by the Supreme Sangha Council of Thailand, which allowed him to perform the Upasampada or Admission Ceremony for new monks at the monastery. In 2016, he received, from the King of Thailand, the honorary title of Chao Khun Sophon Pavanavithet, for his contribution in spreading the teachings of the Buddha.
