The Awakening of Spiritual Consciousness (32)
The awakening of spiritual consciousness is the process of becoming aware of one’s spiritual self. It is easiest to become lost during this initial awakening phase. Those who are awakening do not recognize their own spiritual consciousness and do not understand its functions.
They view their own transformations with a heart full of doubt. Their habitual tendencies remain unrefined, and their inherent nature has not yet transformed. The wisdom that is inherently present has not manifested. At this moment, if they receive erroneous information from others or connect with negative realms, they may dance along with the incorrect information from those realms. They wholeheartedly pursue the mysterious external phenomena and become immersed in this state, unable to extricate themselves. They accumulate misconceptions as truths and continue down the path paved by erroneous information. Over time, these ideas become deeply ingrained in their consciousness, leading to obsessive delusion. Thus, there are many instances in the world of deities and Buddhas reincarnating; Bodhisattvas come again out of compassion. One must ask: how much merit have they cultivated in this life to benefit sentient beings? What virtues or abilities do they possess for others to attain liberation? To falsely claim reincarnation as a deity or Buddha, or that a Bodhisattva has returned, is misguided. The scriptures say: Seeking the Dharma outside the mind is indeed the path of externalists.
The mind itself is the way. To seek the way apart from the mind is futile. Buddha is awakened through one’s own mind. The teachings passed down through generations convey only one heart. Cultivation occurs within the heart rather than through external laws. How can one purify their own heart? Moreover, Dharma is merely a function of the mind. If one clings to laws while practicing—like taking a boat across a river but refusing to abandon it—they are bound by those laws. If one understands the function of their own heart, then Dharma arises from the heart and also ceases with it. There are both wholesome and unwholesome laws; if one’s inherent wisdom (prajna) has not been awakened, how can they discern between wholesome and unwholesome practices? The Platform Sutra states: Do not think good; do not think evil—what is your original face? At that moment, if you cling to good or bad practices, how can you see your original face? Zen masters say: Once enlightened, always enlightened; there is no distinction between sudden and gradual understanding—this distinction only applies to those who are confused. If one understands their own heart’s function, then when faced with circumstances, no thoughts of good or evil arise in their mind; externally responding to situations does not disturb their heart at all. However, within themselves lies an understanding of good and evil without differentiation between them; thus self-reflection becomes an inner observation as well. In each moment act as you should—with selfless thoughts and a sincere heart.
by Teacher Liu Hongming