Overcoming the Inertia of the Human Body

Venerable Chang Gao, a monastic who has attained a state of spiritual clarity, currently resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Having sought deliverance through the guidance of Practitioner Su, he now assists in the vital work of saving sentient beings. This interview was recorded by Chief Writer Shi Fajing on May 23, 2023, to share insights on the challenges of spiritual practice.

Venerable Chang Gao speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. Although I no longer possess a human body, I have been following Practitioner Su in the work of saving beings, appearing in my spirit form. Even from this perspective, I can still deeply feel the suffering of those in the human world. Often, the torment of the heart and mind is far more excruciating than any physical illness. Whether it is a sickness of the heart, the suffering of the mind, or the pain of the body, all of these are manifestations of karma. The body and mind are currently under the influence of karmic retribution, and one must endure these various forms of suffering to repay the karma created in the past.

The Cycle of Suffering and the Possibility of Change

Seeing so many human beings suffering, my heart is filled with deep compassion. I often think to myself: 'Is it truly necessary to endure such suffering while alive?' It is said that every sentient being carries their own karma, and once one obtains a human body, it marks the beginning of karma coming to collect its debt. But is it impossible to turn this karma around? In truth, it is entirely possible.

There is one major obstacle within the human body that is most critical to overcome: the 'inertia' of the physical form. When we speak of inertia, it might seem unrelated to the process of leaving suffering behind or transforming one's karma. In reality, the connection is extremely intimate and profound.

The Trap of Comfort and the Fading Vow

Many people, after experiencing immense suffering, finally encounter the Buddha’s teachings. They come to understand that only by chanting Namo Amituofo and studying the Buddha’s teachings can they hope for rebirth in the Western Pure Land, thereby achieving liberation from suffering. However, once the immediate pressures of life ease slightly, the once-diligent heart for chanting begins to grow weary. One can clearly see the inertia beginning to take hold. At this point, the chanting is no longer sincere. The 'pull' of the physical body becomes stronger than the vow to reach the Western Pure Land, rendering the chanting ineffective. Even if one continues to chant, they are unable to reach the Western Pure Land.

Consider the task of changing one's personality. Through listening to the sutras and hearing the Dharma, one knows they must change their character. Yet, they may not even achieve one percent of this change before being pulled back down by the inertia within their body. It is as if they are being submerged by a great wave; the one percent of progress they struggled to make vanishes instantly. They try again, perhaps reaching ten percent, but the moment inertia manifests, they follow the pull of the body, and that ten percent is lost in a heartbeat.

The Struggle Against Physical Resistance

It is inevitable that inertia will appear, but why is it so difficult for the body to subdue, overcome, or suppress it when it does? Why do we allow such inertia to poison us, destroying one opportunity for achievement after another? When you still value and care deeply about the sensations of this body, you become easily influenced by inertia. The body feels tired, weary, exhausted, or simply wants to rest—this is when inertia arises. As long as you are still swayed by these feelings and sensations, you will naturally be pulled by inertia, adding a powerful, opposing force to your path forward.

In many practitioners, one can see how inertia affects their practice. It is because the body lacks sufficient compassion and a firm vow that it cannot muster the strength and energy to overcome inertia when it appears. Consequently, the body remains a slave to this physical resistance.

Breaking the Chains of Karma

Everyone wishes to transform their karma, but only those who can withstand the tests of the body—those who have the perseverance to break through every time an obstacle manifests—can truly cast off the shackles of the body and no longer be dominated by karma. If, the moment physical sensations or inertia arise, you follow the pull of the body, then your karma will always remain attached to you, and your life will continue to be dictated by that very karma.

I hope that everyone who has heard the Buddha’s teachings can overcome the obstacles of their own bodies one by one. From the practice of Practitioner Su, we can see that the method to break through physical obstacles requires an immense vow. When the power of your vow is greater than the power of your karma, it helps you achieve success on the Buddha’s path. Thereafter, you may follow the Buddha to save sentient beings. This is a path that every practitioner can emulate: establish a great vow, resolve your karma, follow the Buddha to save beings, and attain liberation from the cycle of birth and death.

Namo Amituofo."