The Art of the Still Heart: Teachings on the Rotating Mind

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

The Unceasing Turbulence of the Rotating Heart

The heart rotates, and the rotation of the heart continues. When we speak of the rotating heart, we are describing a state of constant movement and instability. If your heart can be still and unmoved, this meditative concentration will naturally give rise to wisdom. With this wisdom, you can perceive the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way clearly, and you will not be easily led astray by confusion.

Conversely, if your heart is constantly rotating and fluctuating, it lacks the necessary stillness. Because your wisdom is obscured by this turbulence, it becomes difficult to understand the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way. Consequently, you remain trapped in a state of confusion and hardship. When your heart is easily swayed by external environments, the rotation becomes more intense, and the degree of agitation increases. This leads to a state where you are restless, unable to find peace, and unable to see the Truth clearly.

The Attainment of a Steadfast Practitioner

A true practitioner understands the difference between awareness and attachment. When a gentle breeze blows and the grass sways, you may be aware of it, you may perceive it, and you may understand it; however, your heart remains unmoved. This is the attainment in practice. If you are unaware of the wind blowing or the grass moving, or if your heart is pulled along by these external changes, forgetting your original purpose, it becomes difficult to gather your strength, and your practice will inevitably encounter obstacles.

The rotating heart is most commonly seen when the heart is directed outward, constantly pursuing the satisfaction of material desires or emotions. In such a state, the heart cannot be its own master; it is dragged along by these desires. You must realise that material desires and emotions are all illusory. If you are lost within these illusions, your heart will continue to rotate, fluctuate, and remain restless, never finding a moment of peace. This lack of stillness is a great affliction in one's practice, as it distances you from the Truth and from your true self.

The Harmony of Body, Mind, and Spirit

Your heart has the power to influence the condition of your body, mind, and spirit. When your heart is still and unmoved, the countless cells within your body and the beings residing within those cells can easily align with that stillness. Because they are stable and not easily swayed or interfered with by external environments, your entire physical being remains healthy and stable. However, if the countless cells and the beings within them are not in harmony, or if your heart is rotating and unstable, they become susceptible to external interference. This is why the body often manifests signs of ageing and illness.

The Path to Purification through the Holy Name

If you have faith in the Buddha and chant the Holy Name "Namo Amituofo" with a heart of sincerity, respect, and purity, you can receive the extremely pure and virtuous energy contained within the Holy Name. This energy helps to stabilise and purify your body, mind, and spirit, allowing Goodness to manifest until you eventually rediscover your true self. If you can invite the countless cells within your body and the beings residing within them to chant the Holy Name "Namo Amituofo" together, they too will receive the magnificent benefits of the Dharma found within the Holy Name, and they will also have the opportunity to become an awakened being. Namo Amituofo.