The Path of Breaking Through the Self

The True Meaning of Breaking Through

What does it truly mean to break through? When we speak of breaking through our knowledge, our actions, and our very selves, what are we actually pursuing? To break through is not merely to achieve a specific goal or to reach a predetermined destination. It is a profound process of self-discovery and transformation. If you have already cultivated a heart of diligent practice, you must ask yourself how to find the right way to break through your own limitations.

Before you can successfully break through, you must first understand yourself. If you attempt to break through without this fundamental understanding, you will likely encounter even more problems, and your practice will be filled with unnecessary tests and fluctuations. Breaking through is not an easy task, for it requires you to first learn how to change yourself. In truth, the process of breaking through is the most magnificent part of the journey. If you can gain deep insights and realisations during this process, those lessons are far more important than the final result. Even if the outcome is not what you originally aimed for, the growth you experience along the way is a far greater breakthrough.

The Journey Over the Destination

Breaking through is not a single, isolated event. It is a continuous, unfolding process. During this journey, many challenges will arise. The question is: do you have the awareness to recognise them, or are you so focused on your goal that you disregard everything else? Which approach is more aligned with true practice? Understanding how to refine the process itself is the key to genuine progress.

True practice does not place the same emphasis on results as the world does. In the world, people are often obsessed with the outcome, but in practice, what matters most is that you give your heart and soul to the effort. If your current results seem far from the standards of the world, do not be discouraged. That is merely a superficial view. The extent of your breakthrough is not always visible in the final result. Furthermore, the ability to accept an unsatisfactory result with a calm heart is, in itself, a significant breakthrough.

Returning to the Purity of the True Self

The situations we encounter in our practice are governed by the Dharma, which has no fixed form. It adapts to different Causal Conditions, different people, different circumstances, and different tests. Consequently, the degree of breakthrough will vary. Sometimes, the same event occurring at different times or to different people will require a different kind of breakthrough and a different level of effort. Compared to the worldly pursuit of perfection or the desire to appear better, the breakthrough of a practitioner is entirely different. It is not about becoming perfect in the eyes of the world, for those are merely concepts born of the "self," personal ego, and selfishness. True practice aims to return to the simplicity of one's true self. It is a state that is pure, clear, and free from all discriminations. It does not judge things as good or bad; it is simply pure and luminous.

• Letting go of the self:
• Breaking through is the process of returning to your original nature, where there are no selfish thoughts, no ego, no emotions, and no "self."Aligning with the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way:
• When you act, you should follow the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way rather than relying on your own past experiences or personal habits.Avoiding superficiality: If you do not let go of the "self," your actions are merely worldly deeds that do not lead to genuine improvement in your practice.

The Constant Practice of Awareness

In your practice, there should no longer be a "self" that dictates your actions. You must not allow your habits and personal ego to control you. Whenever you encounter any situation in your daily life, you must maintain awareness. At every moment, you should observe yourself, see your own faults, and recognise where you need to change. Especially when you identify your own problems, you must be vigilant. You must know how to break through the "self" of that very moment, transcend the old version of yourself, and move towards your original, flawless, and radiant nature.

Many people easily overlook themselves. They are always looking at the faults of others or judging right and wrong based on results. They remain ignorant of the details of their own minds. How much more is there to reflect upon? Breaking through is not just about working hard towards a goal. The true focus is to change yourself: change how you respond to events; change your temperament to be more gentle and soft; change your ability to cultivate your character and nourish your heart; and change all your problems, step by step, allowing yourself to break through and transform.

Practice is not just for your own benefit. You cannot continue to follow your original habits and personal ego. You must choose to do what is Good. Where there are errors, you must change your ways. Worldly emotions will always arise in the subtle moments of life, but you must have the awareness to discover them. If you are actively vigilant and catch your own mistakes, you will quickly break through and transform. The true essence of practice lies in the purification of the inner heart and the elevation of the true self. Only when you break through the "self" can you truly find your true self. This is the Truth of practice, and I hope all practitioners can realise this.

What is practice? It is the return to one's original nature.

Namo Amituofo.

Bodhisattva Ashvaghosha

Recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Shi Faxi.