SN 46.53. Like Fire (extract)

“Mendicants, when the mind is dull, it is the wrong time to develop the awakening factors of tranquility, unification, and equanimity. Why? Because it is difficult to arouse a dull mind with those things.

Suppose you wanted to make a small fire flare up. Would you be able to do so if you threw wet grass, wet cowdung, and wet wood into it, sprayed it with water, and covered it with dirt?”

“No, venerable sir.”

“Likewise, when the mind is dull, it is the wrong time to develop the awakening factors of tranquility, unification, and equanimity. Why? Because it is difficult to arouse a dull mind with those things.

When the mind is dull, it is the right time to develop the awakening factors of investigation, energy, and delight. Why? Because it is easy to arouse a dull mind with those things.

Suppose you wanted to make a small fire flare up. Would you be able to do so if you threw dry grass, dry cowdung, and dry wood into it, blew on it, and didn’t cover it with dirt?”

“Yes, venerable sir.”

“Likewise, when the mind is dull, it is the right time to develop the awakening factors of investigation, energy, and delight. Why? Because it is easy to arouse a dull mind with those things.

When the mind is restless, it is the wrong time to develop the awakening factors of investigation, energy, and delight. Why? Because it is difficult to calm down a restless mind with those things.

Suppose you wanted to extinguish a great bonfire. Would you be able to do so if you threw dry grass, dry cowdung, and dry wood into it, blew on it, and didn’t cover it with dirt?”

“No, venerable sir.”

“Likewise, when the mind is restless, it is the wrong time to develop the awakening factors of investigation, energy, and delight. Why? Because it is difficult to calm down a restless mind with those things.

When the mind is restless, it is the right time to develop the awakening factors of tranquility, unification, and equanimity. Why? Because it is easy to calm down a restless mind with those things.

Suppose you wanted to extinguish a great bonfire. Would you be able to do so if you threw wet grass, wet cowdung, and wet wood into it, sprayed it with water, and covered it with dirt?”

“Yes, venerable sir.”

“Likewise, when the mind is restless, it is the right time to develop the awakening factors of tranquility, unification, and equanimity. Why? Because it is easy to calm down a restless mind with those things.

But non-‍forgetfulness is always useful, I tell you.”