Whether we gather together or drift apart, everything in our lives is governed by Causal Conditions. If there is no karmic affinity between two people, even if they meet face to face, they will remain as strangers, passing by without recognition. However, if there is a karmic connection, even a single thread of affinity can draw two souls together across vast distances and lifetimes. We must understand that these connections are not random; they are the result of our past actions and the intricate web of and the causes and effects that define our existence.
The Weight of Emotional Entanglements
Among all the various types of affinities we encounter, emotional entanglements are the most difficult to let go of. These deep-seated attachments are the primary reason we remain reincarnated, constantly turning within the suffering of our own making. We are caught in a relentless cycle of karmic conditions and the causes and effects, where our emotions dictate our actions, and our actions, in turn, create new that binds us further to this world of suffering.
The Path of True Cultivation
A practitioner who is serious about their spiritual journey must learn to distance themselves from the mundane world. The purpose of this withdrawal is to nourish the heart, purify the mind, and eventually realise one's true nature. Before one has reached the state of those who have realised their true nature, one must be diligent in cutting off worldly affinities, external distractions, and the tendency to grasp at people and things. This is necessary because all such affinities are ultimately illusory. They are marked by impermanence, they lack a fixed nature, and they are things we cannot take with us when we depart this life. They are merely false appearances.
In the process of True Cultivation, one must learn to detach the false self from these external conditions. You must ensure that your mind is not led astray or pulled by the interactions of daily life. Do not allow your thoughts to be stirred or your heart to be troubled by the fluctuations of the world. When we allow ourselves to become entangled in complex emotional webs, we create obstacles that prevent us from achieving the clarity required to realise our true nature. Until you have attained the meditative concentration necessary to see the truth, you must distance yourself from anything that triggers these afflictions, thoughts, and emotional disturbances. By doing so, you align yourself with the Universal Principle, the Truth, and the Right Way.
Transforming Affinities into
Those who have realised their true nature possess the wisdom of Prajna. They are able to observe and judge all conditions and affinities with perfect clarity. Because they are not moved by the external world, they are not bound by it. Only when one reaches this state of stability can one truly face all affinities, using them with skill and grace. The awakened practitioner is capable of a skilful at transformation, turning all worldly connections and emotional entanglements into Dharma affinity. It is only through this transformation that one can truly save oneself and save others, helping all beings to leave suffering behind and find happiness.
If one does not understand this principle and fails to practise accordingly, one will find that every affinity only gives rise to further connections. This leads to an endless cycle of birth and death, and the goal of realising one's true nature will drift further and further away. You must be extremely cautious and diligent in your practice. This message was recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe, who served as the chief writer.
