How to Make Distracting Thoughts Disappear

All thoughts, ideas, and concepts arise from ignorance, which has no origin, no destination, and is an illusory phenomenon. Since deluded thoughts, ideas, and concepts stem from ignorance that has no source, there is no need to take them seriously. See through them completely, do not follow the rising and falling of deluded thoughts, and remain unmoved. Gradually, these ignorant thoughts will vanish on their own, and the mind will become pure and tranquil. Then, when observing the objects of perception, clarity will naturally arise, and ignorance will gradually diminish. Human thoughts and ideas come and go; try as one might to hold onto them, they cannot be retained. They are constantly changing, never fixed. See through them, disregard them, do not be moved by them, and the mind will naturally become cool and serene.

Observing the breath follows the same principle. Objectively observe the breath without emotional involvement, without actively imposing concepts, without forcing it to fit any theory. Simply watch blankly and dully, observing from an external standpoint. Will we gradually come to see through the matter of this physical form? Then gradually see through the matter of the five aggregates? It is just this matter—nothing momentous. It only seems significant because of attachment.