The Sensitive Heart: Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju

Recorded and transcribed by Namo Amituofo’s disciple, Venerable HaiZe.

On the eighteenth of October, 2024, during the noon offering, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju provided these profound teachings on the nature of the sensitive heart.

The Foundation of Purification

The purification of your practice is paramount, and the purification of your six sense organs (eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, mind) is the core of this endeavour. You must understand that the first five organs are physical, while the sixth—the mind—is the seat of consciousness. Everything that enters through the physical senses is processed by the mind, manifesting as conscious thought. This consciousness is simply the reflection of the activities of these six roots.

Achieving Purity through No-Self

How, then, can you attain a truly pure consciousness? The answer lies in the state of no-self. When you are in a state of no-self, your six roots naturally become pure. You must stop dwelling on your own personal feelings and reactions. Do not allow your six roots to be stirred by external circumstances. When you are no longer caught in the turbulence of these sensory triggers, you will find that you can truly begin the process of purification.

The Sensitivity of the Awakened Nature

Ordinarily, our reactions to the world are filtered through the lens of discrimination. However, as you deepen your purification, your awareness becomes increasingly direct and sensitive. Eventually, you will reach a point where your original nature begins to function directly, rather than relying on the secondary reactions of the consciousness. This state of being is:

• Faster and more immediate in its response.
• Far more sensitive to the reality of the present moment.
• Completely free from the obstacles that usually cloud our judgment.
• Independent of the physical health or condition of your sensory organs.

This is a vital part of your spiritual sensitivity. The more you purify yourself, the more capable you become of making accurate, insightful judgments and taking the right actions in any situation you face. Furthermore, your actions will naturally align with the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way, without any deviation. This is the manifestation of a practitioner’s purification.

Expanding the Space of Awareness

As your purification deepens, your internal space begins to open. You will find that your body becomes remarkably sensitive to changes in the external environment. You will become aware of the presence of other beings, and you will gain a clear perception of the beings within our bodies. In this heightened state, you may even begin to receive messages from the Buddha, from your teachers, and from other beings. This is a clear sign that your practice is making significant progress.

Therefore, you must continue your purification without becoming attached to these experiences. You must learn to "see through" and "let go" of all things, entering a state of absolute clarity. If you continue to advance with this diligence, the day of your awakened being will surely arrive!

Namo Amituofo