EMBRACING INNER CALM AND SEEING BEYOND ILLUSIONS
Master Jun Hong Lu: If you can see all events in life as ordinary occurrences, then you will not be affected by sadness, grief, or sorrow. By maintaining an ordinary mind when observing the world, the heart finds stillness. Only with such a mind can the heart remain calm, ceasing the operation of worries and troubles. When everything is viewed with equanimity as a natural occurrence, your heart becomes stable, peaceful, and motionless. When the heart is still, it has attained serenity. Before we act, it is our heart that stirs first, prompting us into action. Impulsive deeds arise from a restless heart and are then expressed through our physical movements.
It’s essential to discern unwholesome things and illusions, and not be deceived by them. Keep in mind that appearance can be deceptive. Humans and all things possess dual natures. Thus, do not let worldly illusions mislead you. What you see might not necessarily be the truth, and what remains unseen might not always be illusory. One should rely on their potential for enlightenment, and wisdom.
Practising the dharma is a form of realisation. It pertains to cultivating our human practices — it is the method of cultivation in the Human Realm. This encompasses acts of kindness, accumulating merits and virtues, assisting others, and prioritising the greater self over the lesser self. Being benevolent, offering assistance, and practising generosity are integral aspects of this spiritual practice in this human realm. Practising the dharma means gaining insights into one’s feelings and potential for enlightenment, understanding the principles of the human experience, and helping others. When you assist others, that kindness often comes back to you. Once enlightened, you will realise that as you recite Buddhist scriptures, Bodhisattvas will come to your aid and offer their protection.
Those whose minds are swayed by external marks or appearances tend to confuse their priorities, allowing their minds to be swayed by circumstances. For instance, when everyone is engaging in an action, even if it’s clearly misguided, you might find yourself compelled to join in. Isn’t this getting your priorities wrong? You become captivated by the spectacle of others’ actions, disregarding your conscience and inherent nature, and focus on superficial illusions. Do not let your heart’s direction be dictated by the environment. Just because everyone is doing something doesn’t mean you must follow suit. Remain grounded regardless of external pressures. Remember, do not be fooled by appearances; always discern between what’s false and true. Learn to keep your mind steady amid changing circumstances, allowing your soul to remain untouched by karmic conditions—that is, unaffected by karma itself.
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Buddhism In Plain Terms, Volume 2 Chapter 20