11.
The Discourse on the Sign
103.
"By a monk devoted to higher consciousness, monks, three signs should be attended to from time to time -
from time to time the sign of concentration should be attended to, from time to time the sign of exertion should be attended to, from time to time the sign of equanimity should be attended to.
If, monks, a monk devoted to higher consciousness were to attend only to the sign of concentration, there is the possibility that that mind would tend towards idleness.
If, monks, a monk devoted to higher consciousness were to attend only to the sign of exertion, there is the possibility that that mind would tend towards restlessness.
If, monks, a monk devoted to higher consciousness were to attend only to the sign of equanimity, there is the possibility that that mind would not rightly become concentrated for the elimination of mental corruptions.
But when, monks, a monk devoted to higher consciousness from time to time attends to the sign of concentration, from time to time attends to the sign of exertion, from time to time attends to the sign of equanimity, that mind becomes soft and wieldy and luminous, and not brittle, and rightly becomes concentrated for the elimination of mental corruptions.
"Just as, monks, a goldsmith or a goldsmith's apprentice might prepare a forge, having prepared the forge might light the mouth of the forge, having lit the mouth of the forge might take gold with tongs and place it in the mouth of the forge, having placed it in the mouth of the forge, from time to time he blows on it, from time to time he sprinkles it with water, from time to time he examines it. If, monks, a goldsmith or a goldsmith's apprentice were to blow on that gold only, there is the possibility that that gold would burn. If, monks, a goldsmith or a goldsmith's apprentice were to sprinkle that gold with water only, there is the possibility that that gold would be extinguished. If, monks, a goldsmith or a goldsmith's apprentice were to examine that gold only, there is the possibility that that gold would not rightly come to maturity. But when, monks, a goldsmith or a goldsmith's apprentice from time to time blows on that gold, from time to time sprinkles it with water, from time to time examines it, that gold becomes soft and wieldy and luminous, and not brittle, and rightly approaches work. And whatever kind of ornament he wishes for - whether a band, whether an earring, whether a necklace, whether a golden garland - it serves that purpose for him.
"So too, monks, by a monk devoted to higher consciousness three signs should be attended to from time to time - from time to time the sign of concentration should be attended to, from time to time the sign of exertion should be attended to, from time to time the sign of equanimity should be attended to. If, monks, a monk devoted to higher consciousness were to attend only to the sign of concentration, there is the possibility that that mind would tend towards idleness. If, monks, a monk devoted to higher consciousness were to attend only to the sign of exertion, there is the possibility that that mind would tend towards restlessness. If, monks, a monk devoted to higher consciousness were to attend only to the sign of equanimity, there is the possibility that that mind would not rightly become concentrated for the elimination of mental corruptions. But when, monks, a monk devoted to higher consciousness from time to time attends to the sign of concentration, from time to time attends to the sign of exertion, from time to time attends to the sign of equanimity, that mind becomes soft and wieldy and luminous, and not brittle, and rightly becomes concentrated for the elimination of mental corruptions. And towards whatever mental state to be realised by direct knowledge he inclines the mind for realisation by direct knowledge, in each and every case he attains the ability to witness, when there is a basis for mindfulness.
"If he wishes - 'May I experience the various kinds of supernormal power, etc. With the elimination of the mental corruptions, etc. having realised, having attained, may I dwell' - in each and every case he attains the ability to witness, when there is a basis for mindfulness." The eleventh.