Knowing the Heart Through the Sound of Speech

Recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.

On the twenty-second of October, 2023, during the second session of the Thrice Yearning Ceremony, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju provided this essential guidance on the nature of the heart and the power of our speech.

The Art of Sensitive Awareness

When you listen to another person speak, you can perceive the state of their heart. Is their heart filled with Goodness, or is it clouded by malice? Is it driven by selfish desires, or is it motivated by a genuine concern for all beings? This ability to perceive the inner state through the outer expression is a skill of sensitive awareness. Because all phenomena arise from the mind, the sound of one's voice is a direct reflection of the heart. Therefore, by hearing the sound, one can truly know the heart.

The Burden of Self-Protection

Those who are straightforward and honest express their inner state naturally through their facial expressions and the tone of their voice. However, many people have developed the habit of masking their true feelings. They often use their words to hide their reality, employing this method as a form of self-protection. This behaviour stems from a deep-seated lack of security, which is the fundamental suffering of those who cling to a sense of self. In an attempt to protect this self from perceived harm, one may offer elaborate explanations, cover up the truth, or even resort to deception. By doing so, one creates negative causes. Ultimately, this leads to a lack of trust from others, and the one who suffers the most from this cycle is oneself.

The Path of Integrity

If you can ensure that your words and actions are one, you will find a different way of being. By expressing your needs with honesty, truth, and sincerity, you allow others to understand and accept you. This transparency is the foundation of genuine connection and peace.

The Stillness of the Most Brilliant One

The most brilliant one is he whose heart remains unmoved, no matter how the world changes or how circumstances shift. Nothing leaves a mark on his heart. Like a boat passing through water without leaving a ripple, he remains untouched by the events of the world. This is the true skill of practice. It is the state where the mind is as still as a mirror, reflecting all things without being stained by them.

Returning to the True Self

Often, after an event occurs, the mind may churn with a thousand thoughts, caught in the turbulence of emotion. But when you hear the Dharma, or receive guidance from a true spiritual friend, you can learn to see through and let go. Once you have truly let go, you can live a life that is calm and peaceful, free from the waves of agitation. You can then engage in diligent practice, seeking the Dharma to rediscover your true self. This is the benefit of understanding what is illusory and what is real. By discerning the truth, you gain the benefits of the Dharma and move closer to your original nature.

Namo Amituofo