When the Mind Becomes Excited

On an occasion, Monks, when the mind becomes excited, it is untimely to develop the Enlightenment factor of investigation, the Enlightenment factor of energy, and the Enlightenment factor of joy.

For what reason?

Because the mind is excited, Monks, and it is difficult to calm it down with those things.

Suppose, Monks, a man wants to extinguish a great bonfire. If he throws dry grass, dry cow dung, and dry timber into it, blows on it, and does not scatter soil over it, would he be able to extinguish that great bonfire?

‘No, venerable sir.’

So too, Monks, on an occasion when the mind becomes excited, it is untimely to develop the Enlightenment factor of investigation, the Enlightenment factor of energy, and the Enlightenment factor of joy.

For what reason?

Because the mind is excited, Monks, and it is difficult to calm it down with those things.

On an occasion, Monks, when the mind becomes excited, it is timely to develop the Enlightenment factor of tranquility, the Enlightenment factor of concentration, and the Enlightenment factor of equanimity.

For what reason?

Because the mind is excited, Monks, and it is easy to calm it down with those things.

Suppose, Monks, a man wants to extinguish a great bonfire. If he throws wet grass, wet cow dung, and wet timber into it, sprays it with water, and scatters soil over it, would he be able to extinguish that great bonfire?

‘Yes, venerable sir.’

So too, Monks, on an occasion when the mind becomes excited, it is timely to develop the Enlightenment factor of tranquility, the Enlightenment factor of concentration, and the Enlightenment factor of equanimity.

For what reason?

Because the mind is excited, Monks, and it is easy to calm it down with those things.

But mindfulness, Monks, I say is always useful.

(Reference: SN 46.53)

In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares how to remedy an excited, happy, and euphoric mind.

Excitement: a feeling of great enthusiasm and eagerness. (happiness, excitement, elation, thrill, exhilaration, euphoria, etc.)

Remedy: Enlightenment Factors of Tranquility, Concentration, and Equanimity.

When the mind is excited, it would not be wise to practice the Enlightenment factors of investigation, energy, and joy as remedies for the excited mind.

The Buddha explains that practicing “mindfulness” “is always useful”. Mindfulness is “awareness of mind” using The Four Foundations of Mindfulness as shared in the book “Developing a Life Practice: The Path That Leads to Enlightenment” (Volume 1) in Chapter 5.

Detailed explanation of The Seven Factors of Enlightenment is available in this same book series found in Chapter 3 of the book “Developing a Life Practice: The Path That Leads to Enlightenment” (Volume 1).