There are many stories in the Suttas ... - Dhamma by Ajahn Jayasāro

There are many stories in the Suttas in which Māra, ‘the Evil One’, disguises himself in various ways in order to deceive the Buddha. But the Buddha is never fooled. In every case, he merely says, ‘I see you, Māra’ and Māra, disappointed, disappears.

These stories teach us that it is our ability to see mental defilements clearly for what they are that is our greatest protection. With mindfulness we say calmly to ourselves ‘I see you, greed’, ‘I see you, anger’, ‘I see you, anxiety’. Because these defilements are simply unwelcome guests, not who we are, having been fully recognised and acknowledged, they retreat.

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