Awakening the Spirit (5)
Is there an easy method for “cultivation”? Or must it be done step by step, grounded in reality? Following the teachings of ancient sages and wise ones.
The path of self-cultivation and nurturing one’s character is truly realized in daily life. In certain temples or sacred mountains, one often sees individuals or groups experiencing spiritual movements.
Is spiritual movement really an easy method? In my experience, spiritual movement is a very wondrous feeling. You may not know which Bodhisattva or deity you are facing.
You might make certain gestures, perform mudras, or utter words you do not understand. All these actions seem to connect and shorten the distance between you and the Bodhisattva or deity.
This is something others cannot comprehend. Yet, due to this magical feeling, people often find themselves in a situation that is hard to detach from. Whenever there’s free time, one feels as if the Bodhisattva or deity is calling out to them.
When your heart feels like it’s in a temple but you don’t go for a walk, it seems very restless. That’s why some people go early and late.
They set aside work and family matters. They have no interest in other things, respecting the will of the Bodhisattva or deity. Oblivious to others around them, they cannot hear what others say.
I once saw a couple where the wife suddenly exhibited strange behavior without knowing what to do. Listening to others’ advice, they went to a place at Sanxiantai in Taitung where the magnetic field was said to be good.
It was said that a certain Bodhisattva in that temple had a connection with her, so they should go worship and pilgrimage. Without much thought, the couple drove through the night,
heading straight from Hukou to Taitung for a 24-hour round trip (because they had business to attend to). When asked if she felt any response, she didn’t know; she was just very tired (of course she would be tired rushing like that).
Because of someone else’s words and lacking judgment on her part, they acted blindly and only exhausted themselves.
Another senior brother came asking about his wife who seemed strange. She left home around six in the morning to meditate at a private temple.
She was also involved in some private matters with the temple master. She liked wandering outside until late at night before returning home.
She didn’t tidy up household chores and complained about how their home lacked warmth.
He tried advising her but she wouldn’t listen; even her mother-in-law’s advice fell on deaf ears. She insisted on doing things her way. Her temperament became irritable,
ultimately leading to their divorce after twenty years of marriage when his wife moved in with the temple master and opened a small eatery together.
Such phenomena deviating from normalcy are often heard of; is this truly cultivation or unknowingly stepping into demonic paths?
Spontaneous awakening often arises from panic, fear, or ignorance leading one to seek help from temples. If fortunate enough to encounter good connections,
there may not be significant deviations; however, one must have their own opinions.
If one does not know how to engage spiritually, do not provoke it unnecessarily. Do not let curiosity arise just because you see someone else engaging spiritually,
asking others for guidance can sometimes lead you into uncontrollable movements.
Some may find themselves moving even while sleeping; serious cases might lead them running back and forth between temples frequently.
If unable to maintain control coupled with external spirits attaching themselves can result in abnormal behaviors—this should not come as a surprise.
Passive awakening occurs when those seeking help come forward without assessing their mindset or understanding their reasons,
nor considering whether they can engage spiritually or not—those who cannot move are guided into movement while those who can move are encouraged even more.
This is referred to as training one’s body or connecting with spirits. Can you stay by their side all day? Can you guarantee nothing will go wrong when they engage spiritually?
I have seen passive awakeners who immediately talk about jumping off buildings;
everything they see appears black-and-white. If no friends or family are nearby for support,
if they really jump off—who will take responsibility? Can you always be there beside them? During spiritual movements,
it’s easy for external spirits to interfere; ensuring they remain unaffected by external spirits is crucial.
In severe cases of interference, their physical awareness becomes entirely dominated by external spirits—can we help purify and liberate them?
Let us not turn our good intentions into harm against others’ lives.
Cultivation is not for anything else but finding oneself—understanding oneself—mastering one’s life
Do not speak of becoming Buddhas or saints; after becoming Buddhas or saints it’s up for others’ evaluations
Being human isn’t difficult; what’s difficult is being human again.
The essence of self-cultivation lies within nurturing oneself and managing family affairs properly
Completing this life without attachments—resolving past grievances so that we do not live this life in vain.
by Teacher Liu Hongming