The Essential Practice of Transformation

The Constant Call to Transformation

The word "change" is something we hear every single day, at every passing moment. It is a fundamental concept in our spiritual journey. However, one must ask: how much have you truly changed? Despite the frequency with which we hear this instruction, can we afford to stop speaking of it? Can we afford to stop teaching it? The answer is a resounding no.

We require daily reminders because, even when we are reminded, we often forget. If we were not reminded at all, we would inevitably be led astray by the habits we have cultivated over many years. These patterns of the "self," personal ego, and selfishness have been our companions for a long time—whether for ten, twenty, or thirty years of conditioning, forty, fifty, or sixty years of habitual responses, or even an entire lifetime of following these ingrained tendencies.

The Heavy Chains of Long-Held Habits

When we are governed by the "self," personal ego, and selfishness, our perception becomes distorted. We tend to listen only to what we like, while ignoring what we dislike. We remember the bad and forget the good, leaving no space for virtue to take root. In this state, there is no goodness to be found in our actions or our thoughts.

We often find ourselves speaking before we realise that we have said something inappropriate. We lose our temper, and only after the anger has flared do we realise that we should not have become angry. By then, it is often too late. The verbal karma has already been created, and the fire of anger has already been ignited within our hearts.

The Trap of Unconscious Reaction

When we act in this way, we forget the constant reminder that is essential for our spiritual progress. We must always strive to grow roots of goodness in every thought and action and achieve the fruit of Bodhi through diligent practice.

My child, if you do not raise your awareness and if you do not change the "self," personal ego, and selfishness, you will be the one to suffer the consequences. You will be the one to endure the pain of karmic retribution. Furthermore, without this transformation, you will not be able to become an awakened being.

Awakening to the Path of Virtue

When you reflect upon this, how can you choose not to change? How can you choose not to raise your awareness? The path to liberation requires us to be vigilant, to observe our own minds, and to transform our habits into virtues. Let this be your daily practice, so that you may leave suffering behind and find true happiness.

Recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe.

Namo Amituofo