The Art of Letting Go of Feelings

Venerable Chang Ren is a dedicated practitioner at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre who has committed his life to the pursuit of wisdom and the liberation of all sentient beings. In this interview, recorded on June 12, 2023, by Shi Fajing, he shares his profound understanding of how emotional attachments obstruct the path to enlightenment.

Venerable Chang Ren speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. What exactly are 'feelings'? Why is it that people are so easily swayed by these sensations, to the point where their spiritual practice can no longer remain pure? Think about it—every single person experiences sensations within their own body. When we face different circumstances, we naturally develop different feelings. However, the intensity of these feelings varies greatly from person to person. When the exact same event occurs, different individuals will react in vastly different ways. This is the fundamental difference in our perceptions. Yet, regardless of whether these feelings are strong or weak, almost everyone is, to some degree, influenced by them. Our hearts fluctuate because of these sensations, and that is where the trouble begins."

The Physical Toll of Emotional Turbulence

"'Feelings' are essentially sensations that arise within the heart. Once a feeling emerges, it immediately links to the body, causing various physical reactions. These reactions, in turn, exert a profound influence on our physical well-being. Take negative feelings, for example: they easily trigger physical or emotional states such as lethargy, anger, irritability, or depression. These reactions do not just stay in the mind; they indirectly cause genuine harm to the body itself."

"In terms of spiritual practice, the most significant damage is that it prevents our body and mind from achieving purity. This is why so many practitioners find their practice ineffective. These feelings constantly cause the heart to fluctuate, which in turn rapidly agitates the sentient beings residing within our bodies. When these internal beings are in a state of constant unrest, it becomes incredibly difficult for the body and mind to settle. We become highly susceptible to interference from these beings, and the goal of achieving true purity in our practice remains a very distant prospect."

The Hidden Danger of Internal Agitation

"These feelings wake up the beings within our bodies. Beyond making it impossible for our body and mind to find stability, this agitation inevitably leads to physical illness. These beings constantly invade and attack our internal organs. In the short term, there may not be any obvious symptoms, but as time passes, the cumulative effect will naturally manifest as physical pain and disease."

"It is important to realise that 'feelings' also include positive ones, such as liking something or feeling comfortable. These 'good' feelings are just as capable of causing the heart to fluctuate. Once the heart is disturbed, it quickly links back to the body, triggering further reactions. For instance, the feeling of 'liking' something can cause the brain to generate a multitude of 'delusional thoughts.' Similarly, the feeling of 'comfort' can lead the body into a state of 'sloth and torpor.' For a practitioner, these are just another layer of interference and obstruction."

Breaking the Chains of Attachment

"So, how can we stop these feelings? The only method is to let go of our attachment to the 'physical body.' People who cling too tightly to their own bodies will find that whenever they encounter external stimuli, they immediately link those external events to their own physical selves. They bite down hard on these bodily sensations, unable to let go, unable to view them with detachment, and this places an immense burden on the body."

"Let me give you an example: a person who is overly attached to their body hears a harsh word from someone else. They will immediately experience a fluctuation because of that sentence. Their body will follow suit with a corresponding emotional reaction—perhaps anger, perhaps sadness, or perhaps deep distress. This reaction then vibrates throughout their entire system, effectively waking up all the beings residing within their body."

The Path to True Purity

"We must carefully investigate the root of these feelings. Why is it that we cannot accept a single word or a single look from others? When we encounter something that does not go our way, why do we always have such intense reactions? Is it because we have too strong a desire for gain and loss, or perhaps an ego that is far too high?"

"We must examine the cause behind every single feeling, and then learn to dilute it and let it go. Do not allow these feelings to poison you. They are nothing but a source of harm to your body, your mind, and your spiritual practice. We must learn to transcend these sensations to truly walk the path of the Buddha. Namo Amituofo."