Nurturing the True Nature of the Heart

Words of Namo Amituofo, recorded by Venerable HaiZe.

April 28, 2023.

The term self-nature refers to the inherent qualities and temperament of the heart. In the Buddha’s gate, we do not often speak of personality in the way the world does. When one clings to a distinct personality, it indicates that the individual is governed by strong personal preferences and fixed ways of doing things. This inevitably leads to falling into the traps of ego-attachment and narrow views, which act as heavy obstacles to one’s practice. When these barriers are present, it becomes incredibly difficult to break through the cycle of rebirth or make any genuine spiritual progress.

The Gentle Path to Awakening

To nurture the self-nature is to cultivate a state of being that is aligned with the truth. A heart that is gentle, compliant, pure, compassionate, kind, and inclusive is a heart that is easy to approach. Such a heart is in sync with our true self, and only through this alignment is there a possibility of becoming an awakened being. Conversely, a heart that is prone to anger, rigid, or stubborn is difficult to tame. Such a nature causes others to distance themselves and remains out of sync with the true self, leaving no possibility for awakening.

The True Purpose of Spiritual Practice

The essence of spiritual practice is to find and reclaim the true self that has been covered by dust for countless lifetimes. As we practise, we cultivate Precepts (Discipline), Concentration and Wisdom. When these three are established, wisdom begins to function, and eventually, one realises their true nature. This realisation allows one to live a life that is autonomous, stable, and free from the creation of negative karma.

Returning to Our Original Nature

Nurturing the self-nature is, in truth, a natural process. It is not something that should be forced or performed with artificial effort. The reason it feels difficult is that we have lived within the Five Desires and the Six Dusts for far too long. We have simply forgotten, and thus lost, the temperament that originally belonged to us. Therefore, I ask you to let go of the things that hinder your growth:

• The Five Desires: wealth, lust, fame, food, and sleep.Greed, Anger, Ignorance, Arrogance, and Doubt.All forms of wrong views that cloud your judgment.

The Synergy of Spirit and Heart

By releasing these burdens, you elevate your spirit. You must allow your spirit to remain in a state of sensitivity and clarity rather than falling into a state of chaos. This clarity is essential for the continued growth of your spirit. The spirit also requires learning; it is only through learning and then putting those teachings into action that one can achieve true growth and elevation. The spirit and the self-nature are interdependent and exist in harmony. The proper care and cultivation of the self-nature will directly assist in the stability and growth of the spirit. Therefore, nurturing the self-nature is an essential condition for anyone who wishes to follow the path of the Buddha and succeed in their practice.

Namo Amituofo