The mind exists in a state both at peace and yet primed to respond intelligently to conditions, to that of a bell at rest. When a bell is rung and its natural silence is disturbed by a forceful stimulus, the bell responds with a beautiful sound that, after a suitable duration, returns to silence. In the same way, he said, the mind should dwell with few wishes' in the present moment; when a challenge arises, it should overcome that challenge with wisdom, and then, like a bell, return to a natural state of rest. Visible forms, sounds, odors, tastes, physical sensations, and thoughts constantly impinge upon the mind, encouraging like, dislike, and attachment. Luang Por explained how the stabilized mind, turning its attention to the three characteristics of existence, is unwavering in the face of sense contact. He said that impermanence, unsatisfactoriness, and not-self are like a seashore, and the sense objects surging into the mind are like the waves. It's like waves breaking on the shore. After a wave hits the shore, it breaks up and a new one appears in its place. Waves can reach no further than the shore. In the same way, sense objects can now go no further than our sense of knowing. Meeting the perception of impermanence, unsatisfactoriness, and not-self, they split apart and disappear.

Ajarn Chah