Steadying the mind against the poisons of greed, hate and delusion (AN 4.117)

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A tree with deep roots shown withstanding a storm. There’s a painter sitting at a distance watching this scene come to life.

“Mendicants, in your own way you should practice diligence, mindfulness, and guarding of the mind in four situations.

What four?

‘May my mind not be aroused by things that arouse greed.’ In your own way you should practice diligence, mindfulness, and guarding of the mind.

‘May my mind not be angered by things that provoke hate.’ …

‘May my mind not be deluded by things that promote delusion.’ …

‘May my mind not be intoxicated by things that intoxicate.’ …

When a mendicant’s mind is no longer affected by greed, hate, delusion, or intoxication because they’ve got rid of these things, they don’t shake, tremble, quake, or get nervous, nor are they persuaded by the teachings of other ascetics.”

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Greed can be considered as consumerism, craving for material possessions, for experiences.

Hate can be seen through the conditioned feelings of anger, resentment, jealousy, hostility. It's the negative reaction towards people, situations, or ideas that don't align with one's preferences or beliefs.

Delusion is often seen as ignorance or misapprehension about how things are in actuality. This can be the result of misinformation, bias, or a lack of critical thinking. It leads to misconceptions and irrational beliefs, and for this reason, is also the underlying cause for the provoking of greed and hate.

Intoxication are substances or engagements that dull one's faculties and thereby cloud one's ability to see and understand these causes altogether. Alcohol, drugs, gaming, certain media consumption patterns or emerging immersive technologies fall over here.

The Buddha's teachings when practiced become a support for the mind, allowing it to remain steady in situations that once used to shake it up. Slowly but surely, with diligence and consistent practice, through sharpening one's faculties with mindfulness and guarding the mind, one gradually arrives to the state of enlightenment where the wisdom of the causes of greed, hate, delusion is cultivated to maturity, and one is no longer shaken up by the situations.