The Awakening of Spiritual Awareness (27)
Fear and unease are the states of mind for those experiencing the initial awakening of spiritual awareness. Why does this phenomenon occur? The awakening individual becomes more sensitive in nature and is able to connect with the spiritual realm. However, they connect less with the benevolent spiritual realm and more with malevolent forces. They are often misled by spirits and demons, not knowing how to attain liberation.
Nowadays, people are strongly inclined towards laziness. They think that finding a renowned teacher and learning a method will solve their dire situation. They do not leave any effort for themselves; they refuse to put in the work on their own selves. They blindly trust famous teachers, being deceived by miraculous powers, believing that once they find a renowned teacher, all their confusions will be resolved. The path of life must be walked by oneself; even a great teacher cannot walk it for you. The confusions of life are knots in your heart; who can untie them for you? Self-entanglement must be resolved by oneself. Even Buddha has no power to help.
Why do many initial awakeners connect with malevolent spiritual realms? It all stems from their own thoughts and intentions. They are bound by good and bad thoughts. When one frequently generates good thoughts, they connect with the benevolent spiritual realm; when one generates bad thoughts, they connect with the malevolent realm. People’s understanding of good and evil is merely their personal measurement and differentiation between right and wrong regarding things, not arising from sincere intention. Goodness that arises carries selfish motives; thus, what is deemed good may also be unwholesome.
To seek out a renowned teacher who can point out enlightenment with just a finger at the threshold is mere folly—a delusion of foolish people. It is impractical to seek fish up a tree. The path lies within you, yet you search far away. Buddha is created from your own heart; the way is realized through your own heart. In confusion, one is an ordinary being; in realization, one’s Buddha nature arises. Both sentient beings and Buddha reside within you—clarity and confusion, realization and ignorance—all stem from your heart.
by – Teacher Liu Hongming