【Description】
Why do we need to cultivate our mind? Being alive guarantees that we’ll encounter a multitude of experiences, some of which become our afflictions. We often face a new affliction right after solving an old one.
To liberate ourselves from afflictions big and small, we need to pursue mental cultivation. What does this mean? How do we see through to the truth and find reasonable and long-term solutions? Please watch this video to explore the secrets of mental cultivation.
【You will learn】
- The causes of afflictions
- The necessity of self-cultivation
【Featured aphorisms】
- The troubles in self-cultivation mostly result not from the practice itself, but from issues we should not worry about.
- To be liberated, we must achieve a certain state of mind, which is why we must pursue mental cultivation.
【Content】
We have had afflictions in our conduct and practice. Meditation itself is harmless. It is a pity when one focuses on irrelevant problems. There goes your precious time. If reincarnation truly exists, you will keep going through that cycle. You will suffer for neglecting your original intentions and from your obsession with illusionary forms.
Meditation practice, Buddhist meditation included, isn’t religiously driven. One is not liberated by worshiping a particular deity. It is not about who you worship. It is about morals and ethics, as well as ascension. Failing to follow means that you will be restricted by the Law of Nature. What does that mean? It is like wanting to move or talk but being unable to move your limbs or mouth. You will be liberated once these restrictions are gone. A high mental state is needed to achieve liberation.
Meditation cultivates our mind and helps us view the world with more depth. If we don’t transcend our mind, we will always be restricted. The restrictions are endless. It is not something that you can liberate from easily. People may say they can calm themselves with music. Sure, but what happens after the music stops? You can’t listen to music when you eat, work or sleep, right? Mothers often don’t have time for music. When children wake up from sleep or come home from school, mothers are very busy.
We experience new things every day. Simply by being alive, you will experience new things every day. As things happen, there are always restrictions to a certain extent. Small problems occur almost every day. Bigger ones occur around once a month. The biggest ones, maybe once a year. It is as if you solve a problem only to face another one. Do you feel that way? Most don’t. New experiences occur every day. Some occurrences are afflictions.
Afflictions also come from people who are close to you. Do you have a partner? If so, do they make you happy every day? What makes you happy can also afflict you. Buddha says, “Enlighten everyone you come across, including the ones you don’t know.” You won’t be afflicted by people you don’t know. The ones closest to you afflict you the most. Do you agree? (Yes.)
Well, we can’t just leave them, right? Should you file for divorce and remarry? That would be like jumping into another pool of affliction. In fact, both pools will afflict you. So, if there is love, there is…what? Remember this saying: “Where there is love, there is hate. Where there is gain, there is loss.” Let’s see it the other way. Deep hatred comes from deep love. This is shown in people with real character. Such people don’t hide their feelings. So, if there is hate, there is love. Same goes for gain and loss. You win some, and you lose some. These are just basic natural laws. Keep that in mind. Make sure it is imprinted in your mind; memorize it.
There will be afflictions as long as you live. You will suffer limitations if you lack an understanding of the afflictions. Meditation is about self-cultivation. Focus on cultivating your worldview. Then, it is about cultivating your depth. You should see beyond time and space. With enough depth in our view of the world, we will be able to see through everything. When we solve problems, we will be able to find the most reasonable and long-term solution. That is how important our practice is.
Buddhist practice strives to end suffering and achieve happiness. Sakyamuni spread this dharma so that we can practice it. It helps us understand the truths around us. Our ability to understand is also known as awareness. It speeds up enlightenment and leads to liberation. Obstacles will be overcome.
Cultivating our worldview can help us see through the world and eliminate afflictions.