Finding Yourself
Everyone is themselves, so there’s no need to learn from others,
because you cannot learn it; there are no two people in the world who are the same.
Learning Buddhism and seeking the Way is the same; as long as you identify your own essence, follow your path, and practice according to your heart,
with right understanding and right mindfulness, you will find your true self, which is what is referred to as “seeing one’s nature and realizing one’s mind.”
Many people have forgotten how to find the best way to “live,”
so although they speak of learning Buddhism, they spend their entire lives without seeing the Buddha. Many also talk about the “Way,” yet do not follow the principles of deities and Buddhas,
even though they discuss very good theories, they still fail to attain enlightenment throughout their lives. The essence of Buddhist and Daoist thought is freedom and nature; it serves as a tranquilizer that alleviates worries,
life itself is Dharma, and troubles are a place of practice. If one can realize this in the moment, that is oneself.
If you remain fixated on reciting scriptures and meditating, preaching and teaching without truly contemplating in your heart,
you will forever learn from others and will never find yourself or recognize your true nature.