Changing Your Personality from the Heart

The Burden of the Ego

Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, recorded by the chief writer, Venerable HaiZe. On this day, April 22, 2023, we gather to reflect upon the path of spiritual cultivation. To the fourfold assembly of disciples, it is essential that you now realise one fundamental truth: you must not hold onto a stubborn personality. In the context of our spiritual practice, having a strong, rigid personality is not a virtue; it is a profound obstacle that prevents you from seeing the truth of your original nature.

Have you ever tasted the bitterness of your own stubbornness? When you are filled with dissatisfaction, when you judge others harshly, or when you are blinded by your own subjective views, you are not merely expressing yourself. You are creating a state of mind that is ripe for suffering. This state of mind immediately attracts your karmic creditors to manifest before you to seek revenge. This is the bitter fruit of a rigid ego.

The Cycle of Harm and Suffering

When you observe other members of the fourfold assembly suffering, unable to take charge of their own lives because they are trapped by their own karmic debts, you should feel a deep sense of compassion. You must understand that you, too, are susceptible to this same cycle. When your personality flares up, you are not only harming those around you; you are also causing immense harm to yourself. In truth, when you act out of anger or arrogance, you are the most direct victim of your own actions.

Conversely, consider the perspective of others. If someone else is dissatisfied with you, they are also suffering because of their own attachments. They, too, become the direct victims of their own negative emotions. This cycle of mutual harm is the very essence of the suffering we experience in the cycle of rebirth. It is a cycle that we must break, not through external force, but through internal transformation.

The Difficulty of Transformation

You may find that you truly wish to change your personality, yet you find it incredibly difficult to do so. Why is this the case? It is because these personality traits are not merely recent developments. They are the result of accumulated habits that have been reinforced over countless lifetimes. These deep-seated tendencies have become like a second nature to you.

However, you must not be discouraged by the difficulty. If you do not change now, you will continue to create more negative causes. You will continue to reap the bitter fruits of suffering in the future. Therefore, I urge you to put in the work and be diligent in changing your personality. This is not a task to be taken lightly; it is the most important work you will do in this life.

The Path to Awakening

How do you begin this transformation? You must start from the heart. You must truly know what suffering is, and you must develop a sincere vow to leave suffering behind. You must realise that this physical body is temporary and illusory. Your true focus must be on the elevation of your spirit, for only then can you reach the state of an awakened being and take full control of your life.

• Sincere Repentance:
• You must truly repent for the mistakes and transgressions of your past. Acknowledge your faults without reservation.Constant Chanting:
• Grasp the Buddha-name firmly. Chant Namo Amituofo 24/7 without interruption.Focus of Mind: Do not allow yourself to be distracted by delusions or messy thoughts. Keep your mind straight and focused solely on chanting the Buddha-name.

By putting in the work from the heart and making practical changes in your daily conduct, you will eventually achieve the goal of transforming your personality. This is the path to true liberation. Let your heart be the foundation of your practice, and let your actions reflect the purity of the Dharma. Namo Amituofo.