The Labyrinth Within: Understanding the Space of Thoughts

Venerable Chang Ren, a dedicated practitioner at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, shares profound insights into the nature of the human mind and the hidden spiritual spaces created by our thoughts. Having sought deliverance through the teachings of the Pure Land school, Venerable Chang Ren now resides at the centre, where this interview was recorded by the chief writer, Shi Fajing, on September 26, 2023.

Venerable Chang Ren speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. When we speak of a single thought, have you ever considered how deep or how vast the space within that thought truly is? It is a question that touches upon the very fabric of our existence.

Every person carries a world of thinking within The Head. Every single minute, every single second, these thoughts shift and evolve. Some of these thoughts are conscious—we can identify them as they arise—but many others are operating in the shadows, moving secretly without us ever being aware of their presence. When a thought emerges, it brings with it a specific space. It is never just one space, for one thought is inextricably linked to another. These spaces overlap and intersect, all occurring within a split second. It may sound complex, but the reality of The Head is far more intricate than I could ever describe in words.

The Densely Packed Labyrinth

If you were to observe The Head of any individual, you would see that it is filled with densely packed spaces—so many, in fact, that they are impossible to calculate. These thoughts occupy a vast amount of space within the brain. Their very existence is enough to obstruct and influence the entire functioning of the mind. Consequently, most people are not truly the ones in control of The Head. Instead, within the operation of The Head, there is a powerful force constantly exerting interference.

For those who experience a high volume of thoughts, it is largely due to their own karma. Sentient beings are often controlling The Head, ensuring that the stream of thoughts remains uninterrupted, which in turn manifests even more sentient beings. Therefore, as a person ages, their ideas, their perspectives, and the very state of The Head become increasingly influenced by these external forces.

The Vulnerability of the Young

Even before one reaches old age, the impact of these thought-spaces is evident in children, teenagers, and young adults. Take, for example, the young Bodhisattvas here at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. Even their minds are subject to the control of sentient beings. Their thoughts are not few; even a five-year-old Bodhisattva already possesses a very deep space of thought. This is a habitual pattern they have fallen into, and because it is a habit, they enter these spaces very deeply. Once they enter, their consciousness is drawn in with them, and they begin to manifest the state of being trapped within that space.

Sometimes the thoughts of these young Bodhisattvas are simple, but often they are not. The reason they become complex is that they have already begun to learn how to protect themselves. Once that specific mental note of self-protection arises, their minds become flooded with an endless stream of thoughts. They begin to observe, constantly calculating how to respond to different people in order to keep themselves safe.

The Struggle for Mastery

It is not only the young Bodhisattvas who face this; I see many people struggling with the exact same situation. When you choose to protect your own body, or when you become deeply attached to the sensations and states of this physical form, your thoughts will inevitably multiply. The space within The Head becomes even more convoluted. This is not to mention that these thoughts are often laden with intense negative emotions. Within the spaces of these negative thoughts, there are even more sentient beings residing, making it increasingly difficult for the individual to remain the master of their own mind.

Right now, the most difficult thing for the young Bodhisattvas to master is their own emotion. It is a state of being controlled, where their minds are being encroached upon and occupied bit by bit. To break free, one needs determination, perseverance, and the ability to cultivate awareness. Only by reducing the volume of these thoughts can one decrease the degree of external control.

Returning to Clarity

Within a single thought, there are layers upon layers of different spaces. Once these manifest in The Head, it becomes easy for one's consciousness to slip into these spaces, which subsequently leads to a drowsy state. Everyone should strive to purify their own mind. If you can reduce the interference of these thought-spaces, you will find your mind becoming much clearer, and you will be far less susceptible to being controlled by external forces."

Namo Amituofo.