Recognizing Fire

When we see the truth, we’ll admit the truth. When we see the cause that gives rise to stress, then wherever stress would arise, we don’t do that. We don’t say that. We practice so that our practice becomes correct, and stress won’t arise.

It’s the same as when a person makes a mistake often because he doesn’t recognize mistakes. He doesn’t recognize fire. If people recognize fire, will they grab hold of it? No matter who grabs hold of it, they get burned.
Once they know this, none of them will grab hold of fire.

The mind is hotter than fire, but nobody senses that it’s hot, and so they say that it’s nothing to worry about. They don’t know that whatever’s not correct is hot and burning. This is why human beings keep grabbing hold of it— sometimes even when they know better.
They’re servants of craving.
They’re slaves.
All of us: If we don’t know the Dhamma, we’re all slaves to craving.

Source:
It’s Like This
Venerable Ajahn Chah
Translated from the Thai by Thanissaro Bhikkhu