The Ultimate Path
is simple and easy — it is just a
matter of whether you abandon things
or pursue them. Those who would
experience the Path should
think deeply on
this.
Posts Tagged → hardship
happy in the midst of hardship
Calmness
in quietude is not
real calm; when you can be calm
in the midst of activity, this is the true
state of nature. Happiness in comfort is
not real happiness; when you can be
happy in the midst of hardship,
then you see the true
potential of the
mind.
interrelated in indra’s net
Causes are complex
and have different time scales.
The efforts of the individual are not
the sole determining factor in the individual’s
condition in life, because everyone is part of the
nexus of society and nature and the continuum
of time. It is common for people to attribute
causes wrongly because of misperception
of real relationships.
Every cause is the effect of
something else, and every effect is
the cause of something else. What may seem
like a curse may be a blessing, and what may seem
a blessing may be a curse. Hardship is a blessing
when it spurs effort and development; ease is
a curse when it increases complacency
and self-indulgence.
abandoning things is superior
Yantou said, “Abandoning things is superior, pursuing things is inferior.” If your own state is empty and tranquil, perfectly illuminated and silently shining, then you will be able to confront whatever circumstances impinge on you with the indestructible sword of wisdom and cut everything off — everything from the myriad entangling objects to the verbal teachings of the past and present. Then your awesome, chilling spirit cuts off everything, and everything retreats of itself without having to be pushed away. Isn’t this what it means to be well endowed and have plenty to spare?
If the basis you establish is not clear, if you are the least bit bogged down in hesitation and doubt, then you will be dragged off by entangling conditions, and obviously you will not be able to separate yourself from them. How can you avoid being turned around by other things? When you are following other things, you will never have any freedom.
The Ultimate Path is simple and easy — it is just a matter of whether you abandon things or pursue them. Those who would experience the Path should think deeply on this.
People in ancient times gave up their whole bodies for the sake of this one matter. They stood out in the snow, worked as rice pounders, sold off their hearts and livers, burned their arms, threw themselves into roaring fires, got dismembered and cut to pieces, fed themselves to tigers and birds of prey, gave away their heads and eyes, endured a thousand kinds of pain and suffering.
In sum, if you do not suffer hardship, you will not arrive at deep realization. Those with the will for the Path must certainly consider the ancients as their comrades and aspire to equal their standard.
why prophets were given hardship
this whole universe is the Beloved
Soul guides and prophets
have an innate innocence, but they are
subject to the same consequences as everyone.
If a donkey veers off-course, he will be hit with a stick.
If you do wrong, you will be punished. Abu Bakr said
that steadiness is the central virtue. From the
mind’s stability comes right action
which in turn balances the
intelligence.
They asked me why
prophets were given hardship.
I said it helps to have clear indications.
And I added silently to myself, Be more
humble like someone help captive.
Bow to the one who
can free you.