The following are excerpts from an interview with Theravada Bhikkhu Ven. Ajahn Suchart Abhijato Maha Thera of Thailand. The Maha Thera is well known worldwide for his effective Dhamma teaching methods and meditation practice.
Q: Sometimes, ‘ letting go’ is easier said than done. Should we force ourselves to ‘let go,’ or wait for the feeling to come naturally? A: These feelings do not come naturally, because your attachment to material objects is quite strong. To release it, you need to reflect on the Three Characteristics of Existence – anicca (impermanence), dukkha (suffering), and anatta (non-self).
See that the things you are clinging to are impermanent, and that sooner or later, you will have to let them go. Everything is anatta — These things are ultimately beyond your control. Clinging to something you cannot hold on to, can lead to dukkha – suffering or stress.
Q: How does the mindset of an Arhant differ from that of an Anagami? A: An Anagami has completely got rid of his attachment to the body. He no longer feels any sensual attraction or clinging toward the body. He does not care for the body anymore.
However, an Anagami still has an attachment to his own mental state—his emotions and feelings—and has yet to fully understand how to deal with them. For example, he may experience fluctuations in mood, with good days and bad days, where his emotions shift from positive to negative and vice versa. When your emotions shift from good to bad, even though y.
