Dear practitioner, you may often find yourself asking: from where does this state of drowsiness arise? It is born from your thinking, your constant mental chatter, and your endless stream of . When your thoughts are not directed toward the benefit of all beings, but are instead focused on your own self-interest, this fog of drowsiness will inevitably manifest. It is a sign that your heart has not yet been fully purified.
Drowsiness appears whenever your heart is cluttered with attachments. It arises when you are preoccupied with:
People who trouble your heart.
Events that cause you anxiety.
Material objects that you cling to.
Obstacles that you perceive as insurmountable.
When your heart has not been completely let go, even if you are physically situated in a place of practice, you remain tethered to these distractions. When you harbour wandering thoughts, attachments, concerns about gain and loss, or of anger, the state of drowsiness will surely follow.
The Paradox of Spiritual Practice
This state of drowsiness is often difficult to control, especially when you are making genuine progress in your practice. It is a curious phenomenon: when you are engaged in the most sacred activities—such as reciting the sutras, performing prostrations, chanting Buddha's name, or listening to sutras and hear the —the drowsiness suddenly manifests. Yet, once you finish these tasks, or when you are not actively engaged in your spiritual lessons, the drowsiness vanishes, and you suddenly feel alert and energetic.
This occurs because your practice is beginning to stir the deep, hidden layers of your consciousness. When you strive to advance, you may inadvertently disturb the sediment of your past , causing your to manifest. They interfere with your focus, making it difficult for you to remain clear and bright during your most important moments of cultivation.
The Art of Letting Go
If you wish to dissolve this fog of drowsiness, you must first purify your thoughts. When you think, ensure that your thoughts are focused on Goodness and the benefit of all beings. Do not dwell on thoughts that are unwholesome, malicious, or self-serving, as these only serve to harm others and hinder your own progress. You must thoroughly release the people, events, objects, and obstacles that you hold so tightly within your heart.
To achieve this, you must cultivate a heart free from:
Wandering thoughts and idle ideas.
Unnecessary worries and attachments.
The desire for personal gain.
The fires of anger and resentment.
When you must handle affairs in your daily life, do so with a focused heart, but once the task is complete, let it go immediately. This is the correct attitude for interacting with the world. Do not let your heart be moved by these affairs, and do not carry them with you after they are finished. When you encounter obstacles, face them with and Wisdom, and handle them as conditions arise. Do not allow these external matters to disturb your inner peace. If your heart ripples with emotion, drowsiness will surely arise.
Returning to the True Self
If you find yourself in a dispute or a heated exchange with others, your heart has already been moved, and you have created a negative cause. This will inevitably attract karmic consequences, which will manifest as an increase in drowsiness during your practice. Therefore, I urge you to let go of the three karmic burdens of body, speech, and heart. Do not create negative causes that lead to the bitter fruit of drowsiness.
Instead, you should strive to maintain a heart that is constant, steady, and free from fluctuations. Keep your heart empty and clear, and allow the Buddha-name to accompany you at all times. You must work diligently and with great effort to refine these skills of practice. Continue until you reach the point of being an awakened being, for once you have realised your true self, there will be no more drowsiness to disturb you. This is because your true self is inherently still and stable.
If you can truly remain free from the state of drowsiness, you have entered the heart of . You have come to understand the compassionate vows of the Buddha, and you have become a true practitioner of the path, walking in the footsteps of Namo Amituofo himself.
