The Buddha once taught that just as the water in every sea and ocean in the world shares the single taste of salt, so all of his teachings share the single taste of liberation (vimutti). In the light of this saying, perhaps we may re-formulate the most succinct summary of the Dhamma, which states that it is concerned with just two topics: suffering and the end of suffering. We may say instead that the Dhamma is solely concerned with mapping the nature of our imprisonment and the path to liberation.

A firm commitment to Dhamma practice comes about when we see the true nature and extent of our incarceration. Looking within, we see the degree to which we live our lives as the prisoner of our desires and fears, our blind beliefs and prejudices, our greed and lust, our pride and arrogance, our confusion, our passing likes and dislikes. Facing up to this truth is a sobering experience. But it's not without hope. Fortunately, the Buddha's teachings are like a map showing the way out of our underground prison. This imprisonment is not fate, it's not our kamma, it's not part of a divine plan. All that is needed to find freedom is to put the Buddha's map to the test of experience.

- Ajahn Jayasāro