Teachings on the Fluctuations of the Mind

Recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe

5 December 2025

The Source of Mental Ripples

The fluctuations of the mind can occur at any time, in any place, and across any dimension of existence. These ripples arise from our interaction with the external world: through the sights we see, the sounds we hear, the fragrances we smell, the flavours we taste, the physical sensations we feel, or the mental objects we perceive.

How can you identify when your mind is experiencing these fluctuations? You can discern them through your speech, expressions, actions, thoughts, ideas, or emotional fluctuations. The intensity of these fluctuations varies; they can be vast, subtle, or, through diligent practice, they can eventually cease altogether.

The Karmic Harvest of Our Thoughts

Every fluctuation of the mind radiates energy. It may emit positive energy, which serves as a good cause, or negative energy, which acts as an evil cause. In this way, good karma and negative karma are formed. When the conditions mature, these seeds will inevitably bear fruit, manifesting as either good or evil consequences. You may wonder when these consequences will appear. The duration between the cause and the effect can vary greatly; it may manifest in the immediate present, or it may take aeons to ripen. This is because, before one reaches the state of an awakened being, all karma is stored within the Alaya consciousness. Regardless of whether the cause was planted in this lifetime or in the distant past, once the conditions are right, the result will manifest.

The Clarity of a Still Mind

Whether these mental fluctuations are obvious, hidden, or non-existent depends entirely on the strength of your meditative concentration. If your mind is settled and unmoving, your heart becomes clear and luminous. In this state, you can perceive the truth of many things with absolute clarity, and your wisdom is revealed. This is the hallmark of a successful cultivation of Precepts, Concentration, and Wisdom.

Those who possess a keen awareness, or those who are dedicated to the work of teaching and saving beings, have a profound sensitivity to the state of others. Even when the fluctuations in another person's mind are faint and subtle, these teachers can perceive them. Often, they will notice the disturbance before the person themselves is even aware of it. Because of their deep compassion, they offer timely reminders, guidance, or direct assistance to help the individual stop the wandering thoughts and settle their heart, ensuring that the disturbance does not continue. The fluctuations of the mind are the primary reason for attracting karma or attached beings. Therefore, maintaining a mind that is settled and unmoving is the most important task in your practice. Namo Amituofo.