Vipassana Meditation Master
Acharavadee Wongsakon
While seriously working in front of the computer, suddenly I felt that I needed something sweet right now. This feeling was not an ordinary craving for dessert. It was a signal from the mind that the body needed some kind of energy to continue moving forward.
Many times, while closing my eyes, I could see within my mind that I was drinking water. Water was flowing down my throat but with a very different intensity from actually drinking water. What appeared was a truthful state in the subtle energy dimension. The mind, which is connected to the body, could sense what the body truly needed at that moment. People without this level of inner perception may simply feel thirsty and later go drink water.
The path of Spiritual Insight may seem beyond ordinary understanding, yet it allows one to see subtle conditions that deeply affect the physical body in amazing ways. Yesterday afternoon was another example. I strongly wanted something sweet because the body lacked sugar to restore freshness and energy after hard work. Sugar often seems to be the enemy of people who are overly concerned about beauty and health. But in truth, sugar or sweet foods, when taken appropriately, can provide very good energy.
I once had a different opinion from my mother-inlaw regarding soft drinks such as Coca-Cola. She spoke as though taking small sips of soda for refreshment was almost like drinking poison. Out of respect, I did not argue, but it led to a thought: many people in the world live with extreme opinions. They trust theories more than the actual energy needs of their own bodies. They cannot distinguish between drinking something for refreshment and drinking it with addiction. Anything in this world, if excessive, can become harmful.
Fruit juice can provide sweetness and energy, but sometimes it cannot boost energy as quickly as certain soft drinks. I found the answer personally: in times when the body needs quick energy to prevent exhaustion, Coca-Cola can help very well. However, it should not be taken on a completely empty stomach.
People who strictly avoid sweet drinks or sweets may cause suppression within the body, which then connects to suppression within the mind. This can make them emotionally harsh as well. Because they deny themselves refreshing nourishment out of excessive fear for health, the pressure builds inside and may later explode through harsh words and behavior toward others.
People who are too extreme don’t understand balance. Adults who suppress children too much in this matter may unintentionally steal freshness and joy from them. Lack of sweetness in the body brings weakness, while lack of sweetness in the heart brings sadness and discouragement.
Kind speech brings happiness to listeners and is also a wonderful tool for giving encouragement. When kind words come sincerely from the heart, the tone naturally becomes gentle and comforting. The listener gains encouragement, and the speaker gains friendship, opportunity, and the power to support others.
Kind speech includes speaking, writing, and expressing opinions with beautiful, gentle, sincere words. It means avoiding harshness, rude words, and aggression. This teaching comes from the Buddha’s principle of the Four Sangahavatthu, the virtues that support harmony and human relationships: 1. Giving 2. Kind speech 3. Helpfulness 4. Consistency.
Kind speech is considered second only to giving. Even if one cannot help through material giving, one can still help through kind words. Kind speech must also avoid lying, gossip, rude speech, and meaningless talk. Some people are attached to speaking harshly and refuse to improve themselves, saying, “This is just who I am.” Such people do not know how to train themselves.
During the crisis of 1893, when King Chulalongkorn feared Siam might lose independence to France, he became deeply distressed and refused food and medicine. He even said that if Siam lost its freedom, he would rather die as well. His brother, Prince Damrong Rajanubhab, wrote poetry to comfort and encourage him. Those encouraging words restored the king’s strength and spirit, helping him continue facing difficulties until Siam preserved its independence.
For ordinary people, it’s almost impossible to count how many words or opinions we express each day. Since kind speech carries such positive power, why keep sweetness hidden?
Sweetness has value. Don’t be an extreme person. Don’t be harsh. Don’t let the body and heart lose all sweetness.
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