Taking a Step Back: The Path to Wisdom

(This image was created by Lay Practitioner Hui Hui with a devoted heart.)

Teachings from the Teacher
Chief Writer: Venerable HaiZe
24 June 2023, Second Session

Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju:

The Virtue of Retreat

Taking a step back is far more than a simple act of yielding. It is a profound expression of compassion, a manifestation of wisdom, a demonstration of vast mind-capacity, and a testament to one's ability to embrace others with tolerance. When we look at the larger picture from a humble perspective, we begin to understand the true weight of this practice.

However, one must be mindful of the intention behind the action. If you choose to retreat but do so with a heart full of resentment, you are not planting a good cause. Instead, you are sowing the seeds of evil consequences. True retreat must be rooted in a pure heart, free from the burden of hidden grievances.

The Trap of the Ego

Human beings often struggle because they are overly attached to this physical body. We fight to defend our pride, and we find it nearly impossible to swallow our anger when we feel slighted. This constant struggle for dominance brings forth endless conflict and afflictions. For those of us dedicated to the path of practice, this attachment is particularly destructive, acting as a significant barrier to our spiritual progress.

We must realise that this physical body is temporary; it is not a permanent existence. A wise person understands the necessity of using the false to cultivate the true. By recognising the impermanent nature of our physical form, we can focus our efforts on the eternal nature of our spirit.

The Wisdom of Advancing Through Retreat

What does it truly mean to retreat, and what does it mean to advance? Our current perceptions are not fixed or eternal; they are constantly shifting. What appears to be a retreat in this moment may, in the broader scope of our journey, be a significant step forward. A wise person understands this paradox and knows how to advance by choosing to retreat when necessary.

True practice is not about being caught up in the sensory perceptions or the discriminations of whether we are moving forward or backward, ahead or behind, up or down. Instead, it is about:

• Diligent practice in adjusting one's own state of mind.The purification of the Six Roots.Serving others with a selfless heart.Increasing one's own virtue and moral conduct.Working to elevate the quality of one's spirit.

The Path to Inner Peace

Those who understand the power of taking a step back do not engage in unnecessary arguments or debates. By choosing this path, they are able to preserve the peace, stillness, and purity within their own hearts. This state of being is accessible to those who can:

• Truly "see through" and "let go" of their attachments.Nurture and grow their compassion and mind-capacity.Attain the state of no-self, where the ego no longer dictates their actions.

If you can take a step back and find that the world opens up before you, leaving no trace of resentment upon your heart, then you have made genuine progress in your practice. In this state, you will naturally find the freedom, ease, and happiness that come from a life lived in accordance with the Truth.

Namo Amituofo