Buddhist-Meditation-Systematic-and-Practical

yet tries to meditate, will find out how impossible it is
thus to control the mind. This is because one who does
not keep the moral precepts has a constantly agitated
mind. A person like this loses the protection of the gods,
whereas all neophytes need to benefit from every aid to
their practice.
Another danger exists in the West: meditation is
sometimes spoken of as though it were just a technique
or science. This quite divorces it from the faith which is
necessary if it is to succeed. No refuges, no firm faith;
no faith, little progress but much danger.
Therefore, we may see clearly that not wanting to take
the refuges has its source in the sorrow of pride—as
though to take them were a shameful thing. Westerners
here require a little humility. They must recognize that
however much they have progressed in the physical
sciences, they really know nothing about the inner
world of the mind. If they wish to know about this
world and even to have some control over it, then the
Buddha, who is the Fully Enlightened One, is their best
teacher, the truth of his long-enduring Dharma is their
clearest teaching, and the Sangha who point out the best
way to follow at any one time are their good guides.
They should acknowledge these refuges, and should
certainly not be proud, thinking, "This guru does not
have enough general knowledge, does not know the
sciences, and speaks only poor English. Why should I
take the refuges from him?" All this is the sorrow of
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