Navigating the Currents of Life

Recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe, these teachings were delivered during the second session of the Thrice Yearning Ceremony on the thirteenth of April, 2024. Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju provides us with a vital metaphor for our spiritual journey, reminding us that our path is often like a boat navigating the waters of life.

The Currents of Our Spiritual Journey

When a boat travels against the current, the journey is arduous and difficult. If the navigator does not push forward with great effort, the boat will inevitably drift backward. Conversely, when one travels with the current, the journey becomes smooth and progress is swift. However, we must realise that whether the waters are flowing against us or with us is not merely a matter of external circumstance. It is fundamentally a matter of the heart.

The nature of these currents depends on several factors: our internal state, which dictates how we perceive and respond to the flow of life; the external conditions of the environment in which we find ourselves; and the maturity of our karmic seeds, which determines whether the fruits of our past actions have ripened into our present reality.

The Mind as the Navigator

The waters of life are inherently impermanent and ever-changing. They can be gentle and accommodating, or they can be turbulent and unpredictable. Whether you find yourself struggling against a difficult current or gliding easily with a favourable one, the outcome depends entirely on how you, the navigator, choose to use your skills. If you understand the nature of the water—if you know how to work with the currents and adapt to the conditions—you will reach your destination much sooner. If you remain ignorant of these dynamics, you may find yourself overwhelmed, leading to unnecessary suffering and harm.

Ultimately, the difference between a smooth journey and a treacherous one lies in the state of your heart. If your heart is settled in meditative concentration, you can face any change in your external environment with absolute calm. You will remain steady, possessing the wisdom to adapt to any situation without ever losing your inner peace. This is what we call the unmoved mind.

Cultivating the Unmoved Mind

Consider the nature of these waters as the manifestation of karmic forces. By learning to work with these forces rather than fighting against them, you allow the energy of your practice to reach its full potential. When the current is against you, you must maintain your resolve and refuse to retreat. When the current is with you, you must move forward with grace and momentum. When the waters are calm and still, you must maintain control and continue your steady progress.

In your practice, regardless of whether you are facing adversity or prosperity, your heart must remain aligned with the Truth. You must be able to face the world without being swayed or transformed by it. When you finally realise your true nature, you will find that your inner stability is unshakable.

The Power of the Awakened Being

Upon attaining this state, you will gain the profound ability to pacify your external environment, transform the conditions around you, and provide true comfort to the Body-Mind-Spirit of all beings. This is the precious quality of those who have attained Awakening. May you always keep your focus on the path, chanting Namo Amituofo with a sincere heart, and find your way home to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Namo Amituofo