Nibbana is the highest and noblest form of happiness there is. It is said that we can never quite experience the highest and most noble form of happiness. Not only were the Buddha's direct disciples able to obtain it; if you put forth continuous efforts with the same measure that the wise old man did, you too will experience that high happiness, even now. Then you will know “I have experienced happiness that lasts not just for a moment, or just a lifetime, but for the rest of the cycles of birth and death. Why did I get this happiness? Because I was born in the right form of existence, because I was born in the right time, because I made a strong effort." Despite your leg pain, don't give up. Know that wise people of the past have walked the same path. You have to work. If you only talk about putting in effort, you won't get anything. Only if you meditate can you arrive at understanding. Steady in effort and all your aspirations will be realized. Only if you maintain awareness of inhalation and exhalation through just one day, you will understand a lot. You may say that you have been meditating for so many years, but you have never been able to keep your mind focused for a whole day. By a day I mean a day and a night, 24 hours.

Now, do this: completely practice the teachings of Buddha for a day and a night. If you have done this once, you will be able to appreciate the value of just a single day. Some of you may have been practicing for twenty or thirty years and some even longer. But, examine yourself… have you actually stabilized yourself in a complete effort, filling a single day in practice? Have you done it? You have the teachings, the technique. All you need is effort (perseverance). And why do you need the effort? Because during meditation enemies will come to disturb you. Keep your attention on this small point. If your legs hurt, work so that you will reach the state where there is no pain. When you are drowsy or feel lazy, work to reach the state where there is no drowsiness or laziness. If you focus your mind on the little spot where the air touches when you breathe in and out, then there will be no wanting, no aversion or disappointment and since they are absent, you will immediately be out of suffering. So, for a brief moment your mind is pure. Now, if your last mental moment comes right now and you die, would there be anything to worry or fear about? The benefits that come to you from this practice do not last just for a brief moment or a lifetime. This brief moment of purity will benefit you for the remainder of the cycle of birth and death. And why can you do all this? Because the time is right, your form of existence is right, and you are making the right effort.

The disciples of Buddha they took the practice from the teacher and worked with unwavering perseverance. Therefore, they achieved the awakening for which they aspired. The Buddha said that forbearance is the highest form of patience: to endure, although you also do not have to, although you too could change the situation. Of course, forbearance is also good for practice when there is no other choice, but forbearance voluntarily is the highest and best form of forbearance. Tolerance provides benefits now and for the rest of your life. If you want to be happy in the present, you need to work on your patience. If you want to be happy in the future, you need to work on your patience. If you want to do something, achieve something in your present life, then develop tolerance and patience. Just practice tolerance. If you just practice this thing you can achieve anything.

John Coleman