Adjusting Your Path at Any Time

The Essence of an Awakened Being

Only those who have realised their true nature and attained Buddhahood can ensure that every word, action, and movement is in perfect harmony with the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way. This is because a Buddha is, in essence, the ultimate practitioner of these sacred standards. As a practitioner, you must strive to align your life with this same standard. If you discover that your path has deviated, you must be willing to adjust your course at any moment. By doing so, you prevent the continued creation of negative causes, which would otherwise lead to suffering that is difficult to bear.

The Grace of Guidance

If you are unaware that your conduct has strayed, you are truly fortunate to encounter a true spiritual friend who can offer you guidance. When they point out exactly where you have gone astray, you should respond with a heart full of gratitude. By acknowledging your mistakes immediately and repenting, you receive the benefit of their wisdom right away. In that moment, the cycle of negative causes is halted, and the resulting suffering is prevented from manifesting.

The Dangers of Resistance

However, what happens if you hear this guidance but allow your heart to block the message? If you react with negativity, you risk falling into a cycle of confusion. Consider the common reactions that hinder progress:

• Anger: You may feel a surge of resentment and glare at the one who is trying to help you.
• Arrogance: You may feel a sense of pride and rise up in opposition to the advice.
• Doubt: You may harbour suspicion, refusing to accept the truth of the observation.
• Defensiveness: You may feel misunderstood and harbour a sense of injustice.

When you react in these ways, your heart becomes turbulent and unsettled. At that very moment, you have entered the stream of confusion and karma. Your past karma is stirred up, and the beings within you are awakened to further conflict. This leads to the continued creation of negative causes and the inevitable experience of suffering. Truly, this is a great loss of benefit for your spiritual journey.

Cultivating the Unmoved Mind

As a practitioner, regardless of the external environment, you must understand the laws of karma and cause and effect. You must ensure that you do not create new causes that will lead to negative consequences. To follow the external environment without allowing your heart to be disturbed—to maintain an unmoved mind—is a sign of true skill. This level of mastery is only achieved through diligent practice. It is through consistent, focused effort that you develop the strength to remain steady amidst the changing conditions of the world.

The Path of Humility

When you encounter the kind words and guidance of a true spiritual friend, you must learn to let go of the ego. If you can receive their advice completely and change your ways, you will find a new level of learning and benefit. This process can help you improve and resolve long-standing issues, such as feeling drowsy during your practice, which you may have been unable to overcome on your own. This is the immense benefit of encountering a true spiritual friend.

You must remain humble and modest, always understanding that your own knowledge is limited and insufficient. Because your perspective is only a small fraction of the whole, you should be open to the suggestions and reminders of your true spiritual friends. This openness will allow your practice to break through barriers and your spiritual achievements to increase.

A Call to the Fourfold Assembly

These reflections are essential for every practitioner, especially for the fourfold assembly and the monastics. If you have committed a fault, you must correct it immediately. Accept the guidance with sincerity and resolve not to repeat the mistake. Every time you correct yourself, you are helping yourself to break through and move forward. If you can act in this way, it is truly excellent. By adjusting your path at any time, you step-by-step move toward purification. Continue in this way, and you will surely reach the time when you realise your true nature and attain Buddhahood.

Namo Amituofo