The physical body is a vessel that requires nourishment through food, rest, and sleep. These are essential for the maintenance of our internal organs and the overall health of our physical form. This is the natural function of , which we must attend to throughout our lives. However, because we possess this physical form, we are also susceptible to the influence of Greed, Anger, Ignorance, Arrogance, and Doubt. We are constantly affected by the : Wealth, Sexual Pleasure, Fame, Food, and Sleep. Furthermore, we face the internal stirrings of the seven emotions, the weight of our , the presence of , spiritual attachments, and the interference of demon crowds. All of these factors stain our spirit, making it difficult to maintain purity. Therefore, do not be greedy; moderation is the key to a balanced life. If you cannot control your desires and instead indulge in them, you will inevitably create much negative karma.
The Necessity of Rest for the Physical Vessel
Overcoming the cycle of sleep is a challenge that every practitioner must face. When Shakyamuni Buddha manifested in this world, He demonstrated the need for rest by sleeping between ten o'clock at night and two o'clock in the morning. He did this specifically to allow the cells of the body to rest and to maintain the physical vessel. For a practitioner, however, the situation is different. Our physical lifespan is limited. Within this limited time, it is an urgent necessity to rediscover our infinite true self.
While the body must be cared for and protected through sleep, the spirit must be settled through the practice of Goodness and purification. The spirit does not require sleep; it requires protection. This is because the soul must remain stable and free from external interference. If the spirit is disturbed, it becomes restless, making it difficult to cultivate Goodness, and in severe cases, the spirit may even be drawn out of the body.
The Clarity of the Settled Spirit
When the spirit is settled, the mind becomes stable, concentrated, and luminous. If the physical body is also purified, it will naturally assist in keeping the spirit settled. The heart must possess awareness. This awareness is pure, bright, and capable of perceiving the truth of all things without becoming lost in confusion. Awareness does not need sleep. This keen sense of perception is one of the abilities that manifests from our true self after it has undergone purification. The degree of this awareness depends entirely on the level of our purification.
The more purified the spirit, the more clearly awareness manifests. Such a spirit is capable of remaining unaffected by the illusions of the external world, ensuring that one does not lose sight of their original nature. Practitioners must understand the importance of this awareness. It is inherent within us; our true self has always been there and has never left us. Yet, because we follow the movements of the heart, we drift through the six realms of existence, becoming polluted by . Layer upon layer of dust has covered our true nature, making it difficult for it to shine through across accumulated lifetimes.
The Path of Constant Purification
Throughout history, all true practice has focused on removing these stains. For every portion of impurity you remove, a portion of purity is revealed. If you remove two portions of impurity, two portions of purity appear. If you can remove all impurities, your purity will be fully revealed. Only then can you strip away the stains from your awareness and reveal its original, pure state. This is the moment when you truly see your true self and your original nature.
Therefore, awareness does not need sleep; it needs purification to manifest. If you can maintain a clear and unpolluted awareness throughout the twenty-four hours of the day, you will find that even when your body is resting in sleep, your awareness remains awake. You will possess meditative concentration, remaining free from the interference and obstacles of external spirits. You will also be protected from the influence of karmic creditors who might otherwise attempt to draw your soul out of your body. These are the skills of a practitioner and the essential conditions for those who have realised their true nature.
If the soul is drawn out of the body, it leads to restlessness, a drowsy state, and the spirit may wander into other spaces. Awareness does not sleep. If you can remove the obstacles and stains to reveal your purity, you will assist your awareness in manifesting. When your Body-Mind-Spirit is entirely pure, entirely good, and free from all stains, your awareness will be fully revealed. That is the moment of realising your true self.
