Untying the Knots of the Heart

The Purity of Original Nature and the Mask of Maturity

The innocence of a child is often deeply moving to witness. It is so selfless and pure, as children express their joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness directly and naturally. They do not hold back, nor do they worry about the choice of words or the social implications of their actions. Often, adults cannot help but smile when observing this, for it is a quality that is sorely lacking in the adult world. We once possessed this same innocence, but as we grew, received education, and encountered the inevitable frustrations of life, it gradually faded away. We began to learn how to observe the expressions of others, to speak only what is deemed appropriate, to suppress what should not be said, and to carefully navigate the boundaries of what is permitted and what is forbidden.

As we grow older, we learn to package ourselves to fit the roles we play in society. We adjust our speech and behaviour to match the expectations of our environment. We become sophisticated and worldly, forgetting the sincerity and frankness that once resided in our hearts. Over time, this transformation is internalised as a form of self-discipline. We take the expressions of our true selves—those that were not permitted by our elders or our environment—and bury them deep within our hearts. As we continue to grow, we learn to transform these buried feelings into a facade of maturity and stability. We believe this is the only way to live smoothly, to achieve success, and to secure a position in the world. Thus, we pass through the cycle of birth, aging, sickness, and death, living out an entire life behind this mask.

The Hidden Shadows of the Heart

It is only when one begins to encounter the Buddha’s teachings that one realises the truth of existence. We come to understand that the cycle of rebirth and the process of birth, aging, sickness, and death are forms of suffering. We begin to grasp the reality of karmic conditions and the causes and effects, the nature of emptiness, and the vital importance of right faith and right understanding in Buddhist education. Consequently, we begin the process of purification. We start to practise diligently, and as our body, mind, and spirit begin to change, we walk the path of practice with great care and reverence.

However, throughout the long journey from childhood to old age, we interact with many people. In these interactions, we accumulate subtle, unnoticed feelings—past hurts, emotional attachments, or lingering sentiments. Because we cling to the concept of a self, these experiences are unconsciously hidden in the deepest recesses of our hearts. We may believe that these matters are resolved and forgotten, but in reality, they form a heart knot that remains undiscovered. This makes our days of practice and purification less effective than we imagine. We may think that our actions and our lives are in accordance with the Dharma, but this is not necessarily the case. Before one reaches the state of an awakened being, one must not be careless, for these heart knots can manifest at any time, catching you off guard and causing harm to both yourself and others.

The Peril of Unseen Obstacles

You may not even be aware of the existence of these heart knots, as they are buried and covered deep within your heart. Although you have not discovered them, they will quietly manifest in certain situations. Perhaps you do not notice anything unusual, but those around you with sufficient sensitivity will surely perceive them. If these heart knots are triggered and erupt, people may distance themselves from you to maintain their own peace. If your personalities do not align, they may leave, or you may maintain a relationship that is as distant and cool as water. These knots have the power to create distance and discord in our lives.

The essence of practice lies in cultivating a sensitive awareness. Through the reminders and guidance of a true spiritual friend or a virtuous teacher, we can purify, transform, and even resolve these toxins that silently harm us and pollute our original nature. These are the heart knots that prevent our hearts from becoming transparent and luminous. If you are a person in a position of influence, the eruption of these heart knots or toxins at a critical moment can ruin important endeavours. This not only harms you but also hurts the countless beings who have a karmic affinity with you. No one can bear this karmic retribution for you; tasting the bitter fruit of one's own actions is truly painful. For a practitioner, and especially for a great practitioner, this is a profound loss. Not only does it prevent one from realising one's true nature, but it also creates the negative causes that lead to the hells. At such a time, one must pay a much greater price to resolve the problems that have arisen. The most frightening aspect is that even if you try your best to rectify the situation, you may still be unable to change or undo the erroneous results.

The Path to Buddhahood

Heart knots often manifest in various situations, possessing a powerful and destructive force. If an ordinary person has not untied these knots by the end of their life, it is equivalent to carrying unresolved grievances with other beings into the next cycle of rebirth. If you meet these individuals again in the future, it will lead to another round of karmic retribution and suffering. Or, perhaps you resolve one knot only to create another, leading to an endless cycle. This is the reality of the cycle of rebirth.

The purpose of learning the Buddha’s teachings is to realise one's true nature and attain Buddhahood. Any slight impurity is an obstacle, let alone a heart knot. If you are a practitioner, you must demonstrate true attainment. You must be able to use compassion and Wisdom (Prajna) to dissolve these knots before they have the chance to manifest, ensuring they do not arise. If a heart knot does manifest, you must use an even greater capacity for repentance and compassion to resolve it, and ensure that you do not create new knots or new karma. This is what it means to be a practitioner with true attainment.

Recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe