The Awakening of Spiritual Awareness (20)
Come, come. Today let’s talk about chanting scriptures. I will teach people to chant scriptures. Although it may not be suitable for everyone, I still want to guide people to chant once. Let me tell a story. Seven years ago, if you had asked me to chant scriptures, I would have said that only a crazy person would do that. What can chanting scriptures accomplish? Can it make money? Can chanting scriptures provide food? Imagine a person who inexplicably walks into a world they have been familiar with for over forty years, only to suddenly transition into an unfamiliar and unknown realm.
This world detaches from the understanding of human life. It will only instill fear, confusion, and bewilderment in you. There might also be a hint of wonder and mystery. Meanwhile, friends or fellow practitioners around me look at me with doubtful eyes. Is this person practicing to the point of madness? Has it led to some mental instability or craziness? The fear and apprehension from others’ strange gazes weigh heavily on me as well. I often joke that if I can’t get out of this situation, I’ll go crazy. Fortunately, due to good affinities, some fellow practitioners gradually come by to chat and relieve my boredom. They observe whether I’m truly going mad or just acting strangely? There was a particular incident where I helped a sister resolve karmic ties from this life (for details, please refer to my previous work on karmic ties). Because I witnessed what I considered an incredible event: a deceased person residing within someone’s body communicated with me through their mouth. At that time, I untangled their bindings and assisted them in leaving their body after purification. We met four times for conversations; he always faced Guanyin Bodhisattva while expressing his grievances and crying. Someone suggested helping the sister with purification; unexpectedly, during the purification process, the deceased also manifested simultaneously. Reflecting on it afterward made me wonder why such mysterious events occurred and how I could actually assist her (it). After this incident, I became more stable and confident without feeling so panicked anymore. Naturally, I began chanting scriptures as well in search of peace.
When chanting scriptures, do not do it at home; it will bring negative energies into your house. Should you chant at the temple instead? Don’t chant scriptures; it’s easy to attract negative energies! Can chanting scriptures resolve my current difficulties? Various negative imaginations lead one to avoid chanting altogether—denying that chanting has any significance only increases one’s troubles further. Is there really such horror in simply chanting a scripture? Just ask yourself: now even elementary school students are learning the Three Character Classic and Disciples’ Regulations. When teachers ask certain students to recite them aloud, do they say that reciting will invite demons into the classroom? Do they claim that reciting will attract negative energies? Since elementary school students can recite without such worries, why is there so much taboo surrounding scripture recitation nowadays? Is it merely following what others say or is it self-created fear arising from one’s imagination? Or perhaps discomfort in body and mind is wrongly attributed to scripture recitation itself—what an absurdity!
Chanting scriptures allows us to purify our body and mind through the words of sages while learning to focus on the present moment. If there are energy blockages within your body while you chant, you may feel soreness or numbness in affected areas as you continue chanting; discomfort may increase initially but if you can endure it until you’ve finished one scripture or after two or three rounds of chants, you’ll find those energy blockages begin to clear up—that’s called cultivating patience! On days when patience is no longer needed, your body’s energy channels should be unobstructed overall. If there are attachments from the spirit world clinging onto you while you’re chanting scripts you’ll feel quite annoyed; however if you can withstand this annoyance because they cannot bear the righteous energy emanating from sage’s words—they’ll feel troubled by your persistence in continuing despite their interference! After enduring ten days or twenty days of practice like this gradually you’ll start feeling lighter and more at ease without any signs of agitation—this reflects cultivated tranquility! On days when you’re free from annoyance your whole being fills with positive energy; what fear could spirits have then? If you reach a point where you’re singing while reciting—feeling joyful without surprise or elation—that’s your joyful heart awakening—a sign of gradual spiritual awakening! This phenomenon might disappear after several days; don’t cling onto those feelings nor become attached—they’re common experiences during practice! As for changes in body and mind throughout scripture recitation processes—you must realize them yourself! This is how I’ve used scripture recitation as a means to overcome fears and anxieties leading towards inner peace—a shared experience with those who resonate with these sentiments hoping they may find some benefit.
by – Teacher Liu Hongming