The life of the spirit is as boundless as the vast, empty void. It has no known beginning, and it possesses no end. Throughout the infinite reaches of the Milky Way, across the vastness of the universe, and within the ten realms, this spirit has wandered, drifting from one existence to another. At this very moment, we find ourselves caught in the cycle of rebirth within the six realms of existence of the worldly realm.
Consider the many forms our spirit has inhabited throughout this long, weary journey:
The Heavenly Realm: We have enjoyed the freedom and radiant light of celestial .
The Asura Realm: We have possessed great fortune or beauty like a blooming flower, yet we were easily consumed by anger and resentment.
The Human Realm: We have donned the outer garment of a human body, living out days defined by the constant flux of impermanence.
The Ghost Realm: We have endured dark and gloomy days, and if we became lonely wandering spirits, we drifted without a home or a place to rest.
The Animal Realm: We have worn the skins of cats, dogs, cattle, sheep, chickens, ducks, fish, shrimp, and birds, living life after life within these limited forms.
The Hell Realms: We have suffered excruciating punishments, our cries of agony piercing deep into the heart of the universe.
We have even existed as the physical world itself—as the mountains, rivers, earth, flowers, grasses, and trees. We have been born from wombs, eggs, moisture, and transformation. We have even ventured into other planets, existing as beings beyond the Earth. Regardless of where this spirit has travelled, we have always been surrounded by family members, parents, teachers, and from countless past lives. In truth, this spirit has had contact with, or lived alongside, all beings within the vastness of the Dharma Realm.
The Illusion of the Physical Form
Those who have realised their true nature are able to enter the One-Body View, understanding that they are one with the entire Dharma Realm. You might ask yourself, "Where am I?" The answer is simple: the spirit is the true "you." When you possess a physical body, it is merely a temporary vessel—a false body that is not your true self.
If you can maintain this perspective, your practice will naturally lead to the purification and elevation of your spiritual quality. You will no longer be influenced by the , thoughts, behaviours, and that arise from this false body. When you can enter the state of and transcend the attachment to your physical form, the One-Body View will manifest. This is the moment of .
Purifying the Heart and Mind
At this present moment, however, the spirit remains clouded by pollution; it has not yet attained the purity and Goodness required for liberation. Perhaps you are currently in the midst of your practice, working diligently to purify your body, heart, and spirit. Your goal is to allow the inherent Goodness of your original nature to emerge and to let your Buddha-nature within you shine forth.
It is my sincere hope that you will elevate the quality of your spirit. You must first save yourself, and then extend that salvation to all beings, beginning with the beings within our bodies. By doing so, you will be able to join the ranks of those who have attained Awakening and realised their true nature and attained Buddhahood. In this way, you will be able to repay the profound grace of , the grace of your teachers, and the grace of Practitioner Su.
