The Buddha taught the Dhamma so as to broaden our mindfulness and discernment, so that it can encompass more than just what’s right in our face. For instance, he has us contemplate that we’re subject to aging, subject to illness, subject to death. Even though we’re not yet old, he has us contemplate aging so as to prepare ourselves for the fact that this is the way things will have to go. We’re not yet ill, we’re not yet dead, but we have to contemplate these things every day. This is what it means to be heedful, prepared.
Once we see this truth, we won’t want to give rise to anything unskillful in the mind. We won’t be greedy, angry, or deluded, for what do we gain from being greedy? Nothing but stress. What do we gain from being angry? Nothing but stress. What do we gain from being deluded? Nothing but stress. When we see this, we’ll be able to live without greed, anger, or delusion, caring for the body just enough to keep it going, just enough to develop the discernment that will enable us to see the truth. This will put an end to the burden of falling for the cycle of death and rebirth without end.
– Ajaan Suwat Suvaco, The Strategy of a Peaceful Mind