The Sea of the Mind

The Clarity of the Heart

When your heart is transparent and clear, all phenomena in the universe reveal their true nature to you. You must take great care not to disturb this clarity, for once you allow the heart to become murky, you lose your way. When the heart encounters the myriad phenomena of the world, it gives rise to countless thoughts and reactions. This is what we call the rising waves of the Sea of the Mind. These waves can rise as high as buildings, crashing down upon your peace. How can one find true peace in such a storm? The ability to keep the Sea of the Mind level, still, and without waves is the true measure of your meditative concentration.

The Dangers of Unchecked Afflictions

If you have not yet reached the state of an awakened being, you will find it difficult to be the master of your own life. Your personality and your past karma will always be lurking by your side, waiting to influence your choices. When you do not practise, you are easily swayed by the world around you:

• When your eyes see something that does not align with your preferences, anger arises in your heart.
• When your ears hear words of counseling to change your ways, you feel afflictions and resistance.
• A small spark of frustration begins to burn within, and if left unchecked, it grows into a raging fire.
• This fire consumes your forest of merit, causing deep and unnecessary harm to your Body-Mind-Spirit.

This cycle is truly not worth the cost of your spiritual progress.

The Path of Continuous Purification

The very purpose of your practice is to take this ever-changing, impermanent heart and subject it to purification, and then more purification. You must strive to move from a state of constant fluctuation toward a state of stability and, eventually, stillness. You must continue to refine your heart, again and again, until the waves of the Sea of the Mind are calm and still. This is the mark of success in your meditative concentration.

Returning to the True Nature

Since time immemorial, we have been drifting in the sea of karma, rising and falling, unable to find a way out. Now, we have finally encountered the Buddha. This is our precious opportunity to resolve the knots and entanglements of aeons. Only by doing so can we truly attain a pure body and achieve the unity of Body-Mind-Spirit. Do not let yourself drift in the sea of the mind any longer. The world is like a dream, an illusion that leaves no trace behind. Only your own original, awakened nature is real. Namo Amituofo.