【Description】
Are all the things that make us feel good worth pursuing? And are those experiences that bring us frustration and pain completely worthless? People often talk about seeing through and letting go, both of which are easier said than done. How can we achieve clarity and the ability to let go of what should be released?
In this video, Grandmaster JinBodhi explains that things are in a constant process of transformation, flowing between reality and illusion. He uses an interesting example to facilitate understanding. Only by coming to a deep realization of the truth of matters can we obtain the ability to see through and let go. Let’s learn together.
【You will learn】
- Understanding that all things are in constant transformation, flowing between reality and illusion
- How to see through and let go
【Featured aphorisms】
- The foundation of seeing through and letting go is understanding the truth at the heart of all matters.
- Every setback and experience in life holds value and provides important lessons.
- What brings you joy may be drugs; what gives you happiness could be hell.
- Fearlessness may be based on ignorance.
- If you don’t see the truth, you’ll strive to do things that shouldn’t be done.
- The goodness pursued by the masses is not necessarily true goodness.
【Content】
To see through and let go of things, what’s the true foundation? It’s our understanding of matters or truths.
In Northern China, people grow wheat. Normally, it’s planted in autumn after the harvest of other crops. The harvesting period is summer of the following year. When it has grown to 10 cm high, the weather turns cold, and it starts to snow. Temperature is below zero. The snow covers the wheatfields. During the coming spring, these plants will grow much stronger. Such wheat, when made into flour, is the best tasting. Without the stimulation from the cold weather, the wheat wouldn’t be as tasty.
When we experience something negative, it may not be a bad thing. First, the emotions arising from events may be painful. But as time goes on, in 5 or 10 years, when we look back, it’s actually a happy, good thing. So regardless of the nature of our experiences, ups and downs, good or bad, they’re valuable to us.
Many things undergo a transformation, flowing between reality and illusion. What makes you happy may be drugs. What gives you happiness and pleasure could be hell. So I went to a casino to experience the gambling life there. I sighed, because the person who paid for our hotel room, and who was even accompanied by me, an auspicious person, he lost $200,000 that night. I haven’t seen him since.
He told me, “If I’m still at the casino at 5am, that means I’m winning. If you can’t reach me after 6am, that means I’ve lost all my money.” As he predicted, he lost in the end. When he left home headed to the casino, he asked me a question. I felt responsible as his master. “Master, when I leave my house, should I step out with my left or right foot first?” I said, “The highest state is to step out with both feet. Jump your way out.”
At times, when people take the wrong path, they develop strange obsessions. People tend to be more attracted to bad things. He led a low-key life normally. He continued wearing his worn-out shoes rather than buying a new pair. However, he donated his savings to that casino. It’s indeed funny. Life is full of myriad states.
Why is this so? Ignorance. Ignorant, hence fearless. They have no knowledge of truths. They can’t see through to the truth. So he had the nerve to do what he shouldn’t have done, making himself suffer, going from riches to rags and falling from a high-ranking official to a prisoner. This is what an ignorant man would pursue.
So we must learn to see through the good and the bad. You’ll discover that the finest things the masses pursue aren’t necessarily good. You may also have to let go of those “wows,” such as prosperity, wealth and wonders; even if it’s romance or love, you may also have to let go. Only when we realize the truth can we let go of all attachments. Today’s discussion is “See through, and let go.”