The Relationship Between the Spirit and the Brain

On the twenty-seventh of January, 2019, we observed that the cellular activity within the body of Lay Practitioner Xu showed slight improvement compared to the previous day. Because of this, she possessed enough strength to sit upright, open her eyes, and even open her mouth to consume some soft nourishment. She was also able to respond to a few questions. However, the temperature of her hands and feet remained quite cold, necessitating the use of extra clothing and warm blankets. Even though the energy from the great Master Li Bingnan has been continuously directed to support and bless her physical form, the lingering coldness she experiences serves as a stark reminder of how deeply her body has been affected by past conditions.

The Fragile Vessel of the Physical Form

Regarding the affairs of the association, Master Li Bingnan initially intended to look through the books on the desk or the cabinet to assess the current situation and gather news. Yet, for Lay Practitioner Xu, such an action would be an immense burden. She requires assistance even to stand, let alone to walk or perform the physical motions of browsing through documents. Consequently, Master Li Bingnan set this intention aside. He attempted to express a desire to see Practitioner Su, yet despite his focused effort, he found himself unable to speak. This inability to communicate clearly indicates that Lay Practitioner Xu’s current physical state lacks the capacity to carry out the actions that Master Li Bingnan wishes to perform. We must therefore ask: what factors prevent the body from following the intentions of the spirit? What obstacles remain? Could it be that the nervous system has suffered some impairment, hindering the body from executing these instructions?

The Mechanics of the Brain and Nervous System

To understand this, we must examine the head. In terms of human physiological function, when the head receives information from various parts of the body through the nervous system, it makes immediate judgments. It then sends commands back through the nerves to the various parts of the body, allowing each organ to perform its specific function. Therefore, the spirit’s reaction to the external world, the learning acquired in this lifetime, the memory of past experiences, and the capacity for language and thought are all stored within the brain. In essence, the brain serves as both a storage centre and a command centre.

The reception of external information and the commands issued by the brain are all facilitated by the nerves, which transmit signals to the various organs, the extremities, and the internal organs, directing them to act according to the brain's instructions. Controlling the head is, in effect, controlling the thoughts, intentions, and actions of the individual. However, deep-seated judgments of consciousness or experiences related to past lives must be governed by the spirit itself. If there is a spiritual attachment or if karmic creditors enter the body and occupy the head, or if the head suffers from trauma, external injury, or congenital abnormalities in the neural structure—all of which are linked to the laws of karma and cause and effect—the normal responses of the brain will be disrupted and altered.

The Shadow of Spiritual Interference

When karmic creditors or other spirits attempt to control you, sending messages and demands, and your own brain and spirit react to these, your body can no longer be governed by your own will alone. You become controlled by these beings, leading to a state of neurological confusion. You may find yourself unable to discern which command to follow, resulting in a variety of distressing symptoms:

• Neurological dysfunction and mental instability.
• Incoherent speech and erratic behaviour.
• Rapid, unpredictable shifts in facial expressions, language, and physical movements.
• An inability to maintain a state of calm or focus.

These conditions are all manifestations of the head being disturbed by other spiritual beings or are symptoms of the brain’s natural ageing and neurological abnormalities.

The Necessity of the Body for Awakening

Ultimately, the brain is a feature that exists only because we possess a physical body in this lifetime; without the body, there would be no brain. Thus, the brain primarily stores the learning and memories of this current life, while the circumstances of past lives, intuitive insights, and innate talents are deeply connected to the spirit. Therefore, to achieve true sensitivity, awareness, and Awakening, one must possess a physical body in this human world, a properly functioning brain and nervous system, and a complete spirit—that is, the three hun souls and seven po souls. There must be no interference from karmic creditors or spiritual attachment, allowing the spirit to flow freely throughout the entire body without obstruction. Only when these conditions are met can one achieve the goal of Awakening. Only then can the innate sensitivity and awareness residing within the spirit be expressed through a healthy body and the Six Roots, allowing the state of Awakening to be fully manifested. This is why Practitioner Su often teaches that one must have a body in the human world to save others. Because the vow to save beings must be carried out through the physical body, one can manifest the power of the vow to achieve the purpose of saving others. Furthermore, once one has found the true self through the body and attained the Dharma Body, one can then save beings in the capacity of a spirit.

A Call to the Students of Hsiang Kuang

Therefore, all students of Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre, you are under the care of the Buddha or Bodhisattva, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, and Practitioner Su. Do not be afraid to make your vow. As long as you are sincere in your desire to serve the masses and are willing to put your vow into practice, even if you have shortcomings, the Buddha or Bodhisattva, the teachers, and Practitioner Su will guide you toward improvement and provide support and blessings. Do not fear making a vow; fear only that after making it, you will become afraid, lose confidence in yourself, and dare not act. That would be an empty vow.

In this regard, the students of Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre have a great advantage over others who are searching for the Truth and their true self. You have been spared much aimless wandering and many opportunities for injury, and you have a much faster path to rediscovering your true self. You must truly cherish this opportunity. You must achieve Awakening and rebirth in the Western Pure Land in this very lifetime; otherwise, it would be a profound pity!

Regarding the situation of Lay Practitioner Xu, the transmission speed of her brain's nervous system is indeed slow, which indicates a decline in her ability to respond. She finds it difficult to absorb new information and tends to act according to old habits and thoughts. This is why, as one ages, one often becomes more stubborn and insistent on one's own views. It shows that Lay Practitioner Xu’s body is currently controlled by karma. Therefore, we cannot demand that her body immediately perform the tasks that Master Li Bingnan wishes to accomplish. However, these tasks must be performed through her body, so we must grant her body the time it needs to recover before we can continue our work.

Recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe.