พระอาจารย์อธิบายว่าฝ่ายอกุศลและอัพยากตะไม่ต้องการให้มนุษย์จดจำภพชาติในอดีต เพราะการเสวยผลบุญบาปในภพภูมิอื่นที่ยาวนานมากจะขั้นความทรงจำไว้ พร้อมอธิบายว่าความหวาดระแวงเกิดจากมลทินในใจ และเหตุใดจึงง่วงนอนเฉพาะตอนนั่งสมาธิPra Ajarn explains that the unwholesome and neutral natures prevent memories of past lives from carrying over, because the long span of experiencing merit or sin's results in another realm erases them. He also explains that suspicion and dread arise from defilements in the mind, and why drowsiness strikes specifically during meditation.
Someone asked: why do people, every time they're reborn, tend to forget everything from before their birth — yet some who die as humans and are reborn as celestial beings still remember their human life?
Why We Forget Past Lives When Reborn as Humans
Pra Ajarn explained that and neutral natures don't want humans to retain this information. But in cases where someone dies from this life and is reborn straight back as a human, without being separated by a long span of experiencing the results of merit in a heavenly realm or of sin in hell, some memory may still survive, since the lifetimes are continuous. But when separated by an extremely long span of experiencing results — hundreds, thousands, even millions of years — a person reborn afterward won't remember any of it, because too much time has passed. The unwholesome and neutral sides also work to erase that information, while side tries to help preserve it. Pra Ajarn noted that surveys have found thousands of people who can recall details of past lives, and even in Thailand there are entire villages where residents can recall who they were in a previous life, because their lifetimes were continuous and not separated by a long span of experiencing results elsewhere. The wholesome tries to preserve these memories so people know that past lives are real, that death is not the end, and that the results of merit and sin are real — so they will be inspired to do good.
Suspicion and Dread Arise from Defilements in the Mind
Another question: the teaching says 'the mind becomes bright when suspicion ends' — what exactly does 'suspicion' mean here, and is it the same as doubt (vicikicchā)? Pra Ajarn explained that doubt is uncertainty and lack of clarity, whereas suspicion arises from defilements in the mind that produce fear and dread. Without defilements, suspicion could not arise. When the mind isn't bright, it's because of defilements, which then generate fear and an inner voice stirring up suspicion that something terrible is about to happen. We therefore need to train the wholesome dhamma to arise through sustained self-awareness. Once the wholesome system is established, the Triple Gem shines brightly within us, clearing away darkness and defilements — and fear and suspicion lighten and fade away.
Why Drowsiness Strikes Specifically During Meditation
Someone asked: why aren't we sleepy at ordinary times, yet the moment we sit down to meditate and close our eyes, drowsiness hits immediately — and why, when it's actually time to sleep, are we not drowsy the way we are during meditation? Pra Ajarn explained this is proof that the unwholesome dhamma genuinely exists: whenever we're about to do something good, the unwholesome side immediately brings in the hindrance of drowsiness to block us — not only during meditation. Even someone who has never swept or mopped a house will suddenly feel drained the moment a broom is handed to them. Hindrances block wholesome action and feed on ; when a hindrance arises, our unwillingness to know the truth grows stronger still. But the instant we stop trying to do good, our eyes brighten right up. The remedy is to maintain constant, unwavering awareness — eyes open or closed, it doesn't matter. If defilements are still heavy, we must push through anyway to purify them level by level; once they lighten, meditation stops feeling drowsy and naturally becomes bright.