Essentials of Cultivating the Mind

Essentials of Cultivation

We live in a tense and busy society, so we must learn to cultivate a healthy and peaceful mind (through meditation and Zen sitting, we can purify our thoughts, helping our minds achieve stability and tranquility). Otherwise, we will drift along in a utilitarian society and gradually become rootless wanderers.

It is important to understand that there is nothing wrong with pursuing fame, wealth, and material possessions; the problem lies in the “chasing” and “unrealistic desires,” which can lead to restlessness and agitation. Working hard to develop one’s career is also commendable; the key is that an overly busy mind can easily cause disturbances and troubles.

In fact, cultivation does not require one to distance themselves from the world or deliberately seek tranquility. Instead, one must learn to adjust oneself, purify oneself, and awaken one’s true nature to achieve spiritual clarity and elevation.

As the ancients said: “Only by navigating through the turbulent waters of life can one observe the world with calmness.” When a person is emotionally disturbed, they must know how to stabilize their temperament and calm their mind (of course, reaching such a state is not easy in practice,

but as long as you can clearly understand the ins and outs of any situation you encounter, you can face it calmly). By maintaining a peaceful mindset when confronting everything around you, you can truly achieve harmony in dealing with life’s challenges.

Cultivation is akin to crossing a river; when crossing it, do not focus on the raging surface of the water as it may cause dizziness and lead you into the current. Similarly in cultivation, if you fixate on unreasonable disputes, you will lose yourself and your rationality—how then could cultivation be successful?

Practitioners should adhere to “not blaming heaven or others”; everything lies within one’s own willpower. Only then can one seize opportunities for self-fulfillment amidst storms. Moreover, a true practitioner knows how to demonstrate their determination through both favorable and adverse circumstances while cultivating compassion akin to that of a Bodhisattva—gentle yet profound.

The Living Buddha Ji Gong said: “The achievement of cultivation does not lie in the solemnity of temples nor in the superiority of teachings but rather in your attitude towards learning.”

Temples with grand halls are everywhere, as are many practitioners; however, I ask: “How many truly possess genuine resolve within their hearts?” If there is no sincere intention for learning, even the best facilities and environments are useless.

Beings often obtain things easily yet fail to cherish them. When your diligence and wisdom reach saturation point, never forget that “climbing mountains is difficult while descending is easy.” Do not fail at the last hurdle.

A practitioner who earnestly cultivates along the Bodhisattva path may endure any hardships from the outside world or resist various temptations; however, they cannot withstand deep-seated hatred or ignorance within themselves. This kind of “deepening ignorance” can render past achievements nullified—leading all efforts astray!

Practitioners must not “lock their hearts in cages.” Take some time to visit a zoo; you’ll find that animals confined in cages exhibit emotions like lethargy, anxiety, or anger. Similarly—if practitioners’ hearts are bound by desires or worldly attachments—how could their spirits ever be free?

Maintain your thoughts firmly until the end

There are no people or things in this world that we should hate; instead there are countless ignorant beings who suffer due to selfish biases preventing them from achieving Buddhahood. Therefore we must elevate our inner love into compassionate Bodhisattva love for all beings so they may truly distance themselves from troubles and suffering.

Zen teachings say: “To leave home physically means leaving worldly attachments; but leaving home mentally means breaking free from ignorance’s shackles.” Leaving home physically may distance one from worldly practices while still being caught up by worries and pain; wearing the guise of cultivation while flowing along with societal currents.

Leaving home mentally means breaking free from mental shackles—not being dragged down by inner ignorance or three poisons—not being disturbed by all forms of appearances or worldly conditions—not allowing adversity or poverty shake our hearts. Only by breaking free can we use wisdom to observe all beings who originally come due to karma—and thus must transcend birth-and-death through karma.

In ancient times during Red Sun’s practice: “One bowl feeds thousands,” traveling alone across vast distances was liberating. Today’s White Sun practice: “In dust yet untainted by dust,” “planting lotus amidst fire” embodies extraordinary spirit found within ordinary life.

Consider today’s disciples of White Sun Buddhism & Taoism; each writes history with their lives’ blood & tears—each has their own scripture—a scripture written with “compassionate joy” forming an inclusive path for all beings’ salvation.

Scriptures say: “The wise act without attachment while fools bind themselves.” A wise person seeks neither this nor that but lives freely without burdens. Conversely those lacking wisdom complain about this injustice or lack of prospects elsewhere; if human hearts were brought into pure lands wouldn’t those pure lands turn into seas of suffering?

“If bondage remains unbroken even at ends of earth it remains suffering.” If cultivation uses attachment & troubled minds against everything around us this world becomes unbearably ugly—instead let’s appreciate everything using compassion & wisdom!

by- Phoenix Mountain Range Compassionate Phoenix Palace