In the journey of spiritual practice, we often encounter two states of being: the unfamiliar and the familiar. The term unfamiliar refers to that which is strange or foreign to our current way of life, while the term familiar refers to that which we have grown accustomed to through long-standing habit. These two states are clearly visible in our daily conduct, our spiritual practice, and the deeply ingrained habits of the "self," personal ego, and selfishness.
For many practitioners, including the fourfold assembly (monks, nuns, laymen, laywomen), the practice of chanting continuously throughout the day feels unfamiliar. It is a state that has not yet become second nature. Conversely, what is familiar to us is the habit of living a life of leisure and ease. We are accustomed to filling our days with endless delusions and messy thoughts that cloud the mind, constant internal dialogue, idle speculation, and engaging in trivial chatter, gossip, or discussing the faults of others. We often find ourselves busy with worldly work, academic studies, or professional pursuits, the relentless pursuit of wealth and material gain, or indulging in excessive sleep, eating, drinking, and entertainment, believing these to be the true sources of happiness.
The Choice of Faith and Self-Reliance
When we speak of the unfamiliar, we are referring to the path of true faith: believing in the Buddha, believing in our own original nature, and listening deeply to the Buddha’s words. This is a path that requires us to step outside our comfort zones. In contrast, our familiar path is one of self-reliance and ego-driven choices. We are accustomed to seeking out people who validate our own views, finding comfort in those who share our specific interests or social circles. We listen only to our own internal voice, firmly convinced that our personal perspective is the only correct one, relying on our own limited wisdom rather than the vast, compassionate guidance of the Buddha.
Furthermore, the unfamiliar path is one of humility, where we possess no rigid ego, follow the Causal Conditions as they arise, and harmonise with all beings. The familiar path, however, is defined by a strong sense of self. Whether we are bold and outgoing, quiet and introverted, or blunt and outspoken, we are often driven by a powerful, subjective ego that feels compelled to express itself at every turn.
The Illusion of
The unfamiliar path is one of selflessness, where we do not engage in discriminations or attachments. The familiar path is one of selfishness, where we prioritise our own benefits and interests above all else. We are constantly highlighting the existence of our own body and mind, focusing on our personal and emotional states, our own thoughts, opinions, and interpretations of the world, our specific ways of behaving and acting, and our own internal and mental constructs.
We have developed a habit of categorising everything into good or bad, rich or poor, noble or lowly, foolish or wise. We cling to these labels, making decisions based on our fleeting likes and dislikes, or analysing and planning our lives through the lens of our own limited, biased perceptions.
The Power of Stillness and Letting Go
The unfamiliar path is one of meditative concentration, where the mind remains unmoved, and the external environment follows the state of our heart. The familiar path is one of restlessness, where the mind is constantly agitated, and our inner state is tossed about by every changing external circumstance. We must learn to "see through" and "let go" of the various emotions, relationships, roles, and hobbies that bind us. Currently, we are far too familiar with clinging tightly to these things, unable to release the burdens that keep us trapped in the cycle of rebirth.
True progress requires us to cultivate contentment and a heart filled with gratitude. Yet, our familiar habit is to criticise and feel dissatisfied, constantly believing that things are not good enough and must be improved. We take everything for granted, viewing our habitual way of life as the only natural way to exist.
Cultivating and Wisdom
The unfamiliar path is the path of compassion. It is the ability to see the suffering of all beings, to vow to relieve that suffering, and to offer them peace and happiness. It is to dwell, twenty-four hours a day, in a state of compassion, wisdom, and an all-encompassing mind-capacity. Our familiar habit, however, is to be indifferent to the suffering of others, viewing it as normal and turning a blind eye to the pain around us.
We often find ourselves living in a state of confusion, refusing to listen to good counsel or the Buddha’s words. We struggle to distinguish between good and evil, constantly calculating our own gains and losses, and focusing on the faults of others. We must shift our thinking: instead of thinking only of ourselves, we must think of the suffering of others and work to resolve it. We must learn to live in the present moment, rather than being lost in thoughts of our body, our feelings, our past, our present, or our future.
The Final Call to Practice
The unfamiliar path is one of humility: it is the willingness to suffer a loss rather than take advantage of others, to be humble and modest, to admit when we are wrong, and to take a step back. The familiar path is one of arrogance: it is the desire to never suffer a loss, to always gain an advantage, to be prideful, and to insist that we are always right and must always win.
We must learn to restrain , to distance ourselves from desire, and to look inward with self-discipline and self-regulation. Our familiar habit is to let the six roots chase after external desires and satisfactions. We seek out sights that are pleasing to the eye and sounds that are pleasant to the ear. We crave praise, validation, and encouragement from the outside world. When we hear criticism or blame, we immediately give rise to anger. The path described here is clear: the unfamiliar is the path of purity and goodness, while the familiar is the path of impurity and attachment. You must reflect upon this daily. Transform the familiar into the unfamiliar, and the unfamiliar into the familiar. When you can successfully make this transformation, you will surely find progress on the path to . Namo Amituofo.
