The Heart’s Discourse: Delusional Thoughts and No-Thought

The Shadows of the Wandering Mind

Namo Amituofo’s discourse, recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe. Delusional thoughts are those mental constructs that lack true substance or reality. They are not the product of your true self, but are instead driven by the weight of your karma and the influence of your karmic creditors. Many people have become deeply accustomed to living within the confines of these thoughts. You may find yourself constantly dwelling on events that have already occurred in the past, events that are currently unfolding, or worries about what might happen in the future. In this state, your life is governed by the ego, by personal desires, and by the rigid patterns of your own personality. You are not the master of your own mind; rather, you are being led by the momentum of your own attachments.

The Pristine Stillness of No-Thought

No-thought is the state of meditative concentration where the mind is free from these false and unsubstantial mental ripples. When you reside in this state, you exist in a condition of natural, pristine clarity. In the present moment, you are able to let your keen awareness take the lead, and from there, you can allow your true self to become the master of your actions. When you reach this state of no-thought, your heart remains as calm and still as a mirror, without a single wave of disturbance. Yet, despite this stillness, you remain perfectly aware of everything happening around you. You are no longer pulled or swayed by the events of the world or by the sudden emergence of fleeting thoughts.

The Manifestation of Innate Wisdom

When you are truly present and the need arises to act, your heart remains undisturbed. Because you are not caught in the turbulence of the mind, wisdom naturally manifests. It has always been there, waiting for the clouds of delusion to clear. Consider the stark difference between these two states:

• Delusional Thoughts: These thoughts frequently contradict the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way. When these thoughts continue without pause, they create impurity. Every time such a thought arises, you are creating karma, which inevitably leads to the bitter fruit of negative karma and suffering.
• No-Thought: This state exists in a realm of purity, untainted by the dust of the world. Even if a thought begins to arise, your immediate awareness acts as a light that dissolves it, preventing the thought from continuing or taking root.

Returning to the Source of Peace

Because your heart does not move, you are not stirred by the past, nor are you influenced by it. Even when the external environment is in constant motion, your heart remains unmoved. This is the mark of one who has attained true meditative concentration and wisdom. To observe the precepts is not a burden, but a natural expression of this pure state. By understanding the distinction between delusional thoughts and the state of no-thought, you can begin to leave suffering behind and find true happiness. You must strive to return to your true self, for it is in this stillness that you will find the path to rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. Namo Amituofo.