Breakthrough and Breakthrough Again

Recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable Fa Hui, during the second session of the Thrice Yearning Ceremony held on 6 September 2024, these teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju offer profound guidance on the nature of our spiritual journey.

The Courage to Face Yourself

Practice is, at its core, the act of facing yourself with absolute honesty. It is not merely a ritual or a routine; it is a continuous process of breakthrough after breakthrough. Only through this persistent effort can you truly transform your karma and halt the cycle of the sufferings of birth, aging, sickness, and death. Furthermore, this is the only way to prevent the elements separate and pulling you back into the cycle of being reincarnated.

Consider the solitude of our existence: we are born alone, we die alone, and we travel through the cycle of being reincarnated alone. No one can replace you in this journey, just as no one can bear the weight of your own sufferings of birth, aging, sickness, and death for you. Because of this, the act of facing yourself with complete sincerity is of the utmost importance.

Regulating the Heart and Mind

You must learn to regulate your heart and refuse to escape from the truth. When you lay yourself bare, you can clearly see where your practice has stagnated and understand the reasons why you fall into states of drowsy or drift into other space. Only when you have this clarity can you prescribe the right medicine for your spiritual ailments.

Facing the true self is never an easy task. It requires immense humility and strength. When others point out your shortcomings and problems, you should not react with defensiveness. Instead, you should:

• Feel deep gratitude toward the person who offers the feedback.
• Reflect earnestly on the issues raised.
• Commit yourself to change your ways.

This is the only way to secure a genuine opportunity for a breakthrough.

The Path of Continuous Purification

If, after your initial efforts, further flaws or problems arise, and someone points them out again, you should feel even greater gratitude. By continuing to practise with diligent practice and sincerity, you will find the strength to change personality traits and overcome your obstacles. This process of repeated correction and breakthrough is essentially the act of washing away the layers of purification and dust that have accumulated over countless lifetimes.

In your practice, if you do not go through the process of breakthrough, you will inevitably remain in the same place or even regress. It is difficult to achieve spiritual success without this transformative process. However, if you embrace the journey of breakthrough, change your ways, and overcome, and if you face these challenges with a sincere heart, you will find the opportunity for purification and the realisation of your true nature as an awakened being.

Namo Amituofo