Settling the Heart: Teachings from Namo Amituofo

Teachings from Namo Amituofo, recorded by Venerable HaiZe on the eighth of December, 2024.

The Turbulence of the Heart

My children, do you find that your heart is frequently tossed about by the winds of life? Is your heart truly at peace, or does it exist in a constant state of agitation and unease? You must understand that turbulence and anxiety are deeply intertwined; they act as both cause and effect for one another. When your heart is in a state of fluctuation, it inevitably attracts the presence of karmic beings. Consequently, a sense of deep-seated unease arises within you.

Therefore, a wise person is one who knows how to settle this heart. They do not allow their heart to be swayed by external circumstances, choosing instead to keep it in a state of constant stability. How can one achieve this? It requires a commitment to the path of practice, ensuring that the mind remains as still as a calm, undisturbed lake.

The Harmony of Body, Mind, and Spirit

When you successfully settle your heart, you will find that your physical health and spiritual state naturally stabilise. This is because the cells of your body, when existing within a settled heart, are also in a state of purity, free from the pollution of agitation. In this state, your cells can function naturally and optimally, without the premature onset of ageing or the manifestation of disease.

Furthermore, when the heart is settled, the spirit is no longer subject to internal or external disturbances. You will no longer face the problem of karmic creditors appearing to lead your spirit into other realms. Your spirit will remain clear, bright, and free from the fog of confusion. Those who maintain this stability in their body, mind, and spirit will naturally possess greater vitality and energy. The ageing process is slowed, and the onset of illness is often prevented entirely.

The Obstacles to Our True Nature

If you can maintain this state of constant, unwavering stability—free from the interference of karma and karmic creditors—you are truly on the path of one who has begun to transform their karma and realise their true self. Settling the heart is the essential condition for any practitioner who wishes to find their way back to their true self. Only when the heart is settled can this return be achieved.

If your heart remains restless and prone to fluctuation, you are still being led by the forces of karma. You are still far from being an awakened being. You must continue to put in the work, diligently practising to keep your heart calm and free from waves. Only after you have successfully transformed your karma will it be possible to realise your true nature.

The Essence of Mahayana Buddhism

The essence of Mahayana Buddhism lies entirely within the heart. Those with sharp faculties can transform their karma in an instant, before the seeds of delusion, discrimination, and attachment have a chance to sprout. This is vital, for these three poisons are what keep us bound to the cycle of rebirth, to the weight of karma, and to the influence of karmic creditors. If these forces manifest, you must first soothe and resolve the conflict with the karma and the beings that have appeared. Only by stopping the manifestation of this karma can you hope to transform it and leave suffering behind.

Recall the words of Shakyamuni Buddha when he saw the morning star under the Bodhi tree: "How wondrous! How wondrous! All beings possess the wisdom and virtue of the Tathagata, yet they cannot realise it due to their delusion, discrimination, and attachment." From this, we know that these three are the great enemies of our awakening. Anyone who harbours them will find their heart constantly agitated and uneasy. Therefore, those who seek to realise their true nature must put in the work at the level of the heart.

The Foundation of Practice

The path is clear for every Buddhist practitioner:

• Diligently practise Precepts (Discipline), Concentration and Wisdom.
• Work to extinguish greed, anger, and ignorance.
• Maintain faith in these teachings, uphold them, and put them into action.

Do not underestimate the importance of these Precepts (Discipline), Concentration and Wisdom, nor the significance of even the smallest act of self-discipline. Do not let your mental notes fluctuate; do not let your personality take control. Even a subtle movement of the heart caused by a flicker of ego must be avoided. Only when you can avoid stirring up your karma can you truly speak of having achieved meditative concentration. Concentration leads to a settled heart, and a settled heart is the foundation of Wisdom. Without this concentration, confusion will inevitably arise. I urge you all to reflect on this, to correct your ways, and to apply yourselves, so that you may make progress on the path and finally realise your true nature.

Namo Amituofo