The Kaleidoscope of Life: Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju

The Kaleidoscope of Existence

On December 3, 2021, during the second session of the Thrice Yearning Ceremony, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju offered profound teachings on the nature of our existence. He used the metaphor of a kaleidoscope to illustrate the restless nature of our minds. Life is much like a kaleidoscope; within the tube, there are only a few small fragments, yet as it turns, they shift into an infinite variety of patterns. No two turns are ever the same. Similarly, our lives are filled with constant change, where every thought and intention creates a new pattern in the world around us.

The Restless Mind

How many of us feel trapped in this endless turning? Our minds are constantly reacting to the external world, caught in the kaleidoscope of the six realms of rebirth. If your heart follows the external environment, you will be spun around by the world of illusions without pause. We become passengers in our own lives, tossed about by circumstances and the shifting patterns of karma. This is why we feel so lost; we allow the external world to dictate our internal state, constantly chasing the next pattern while hoping for stability.

The Power of Stillness

When will we finally find peace? The answer lies in the ability to stop the turning. When you can bring your mind to a state of absolute meditative concentration, the kaleidoscope ceases its frantic motion. Even if the world continues to shift, your heart remains unmoved. When your mind is anchored in the Truth, the chaotic patterns of the world can no longer influence your inner peace. When the mind is pure and the turning stops, this is the state of an awakened being.

Awakening and Mastery

To achieve this state is to realise your true self. When your self-nature is revealed, you can move freely through the world without being bound by it. You are able to turn the environment rather than being turned by it. This is the moment when you are truly capable of helping others—of saving suffering beings—without being pulled down into their suffering yourself. By maintaining your practice and chanting Namo Amituofo, you can transcend the kaleidoscope of samsara and find the eternal peace of the Western Pure Land. Let your heart remain still, and you will find the clarity to guide yourself and others home.

Namo Amituofo