Stillness Amidst the Busyness of Life
Teachings from Namo Amituofo to Practitioner Su and the Assembly
Teachings from Namo Amituofo, recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.
On this day, the twenty-third of August, 2024, Namo Amituofo offers us profound guidance on the nature of true stillness.
The Art of Unwavering Stillness
When we speak of stillness amidst the busyness of life, we are not referring to the formal practice of sitting in meditation or engaging in silent contemplation. Instead, we are speaking of a state of mind that remains unmoved by the external world. How can you maintain this state while navigating the complexities of your daily life? It is the ability to remain clear rather than obscured, pure rather than tainted, and firm in your practice without being swayed by the shifting tides of circumstance.
To achieve this, you must possess a deep, inner meditative concentration. When your heart is truly settled, it remains unmoved by the chaos around you. This stillness is not a passive state; it is a testament to the strength of your meditative concentration. It is the hallmark of a practitioner who has truly mastered their own mind.
The Buddha-name as a Lifeline
The most effective way to maintain this stillness is to chant Namo Amituofo all the way, without interruption. Regardless of what external conditions you face, you must hold tightly to the Buddha-name. Think of it as a lifeline in the middle of a raging storm. Whether you are caught in the winds of change, the rains of adversity, or the crashing waves of life’s challenges, you must ensure that your chanting remains constant.
Even if others do not understand the truth and choose to slander you, you must remain steady. You must face these challenges with a calm and concentrated heart. Trust in the laws of and cause and effect; the truth will naturally reveal itself in time. This ability to remain still while busy is the essential key to continuing your progress on the path of practice.
Redefining Our Busyness
When you continue to move forward on this path, your busyness takes on a new meaning. You are no longer busy for the sake of worldly affairs; you are busy with diligent practice. You are busy with -Mind-Spirit purification and the spiritual elevation of your own nature. You are busy for the sake of serving the fourfold assembly and all suffering beings; you are not busy with selfish desires, nor are you caught up in the endless cycle of your own emotional fluctuations.
The Foundation of Discipline
The essence of practice lies in the . By upholding the Precepts and ensuring you do not commit transgressions, your heart naturally settles into a state of meditative concentration. When the mind is still, wisdom naturally manifests. Through the integration of these three—Precepts, meditative concentration, and wisdom—you will find that your practice becomes complete. You will be able to understand the nature of all events and principles clearly, without confusion or disorder.
Stillness amidst busyness is the ultimate skill of a successful practitioner. It is the ability to keep the body busy while the heart remains at peace. It is the state where your spirit is stable and focused, never scattered. This is the true meaning of stillness amidst busyness. Practitioner Su has attained this state, and it is a path that all members of the fourfold assembly should strive to emulate.
Namo Amituofo
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Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre
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