The Practice of Non-Existence

On the fourth of December, 2019, during the third session of the Thrice Yearning Ceremony held in Australia, Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju offered profound guidance on the practice of non-existence. This teaching invites us to look beyond the surface of our daily perceptions and understand the true nature of reality.

The Illusion of Duality

It is clearly present, yet how can it be non-existent? We must understand that non-existence is not truly nothingness, just as existence is not truly permanent being. These are merely labels we apply to the shifting nature of reality. When we cling to the idea that things are either strictly existent or non-existent, we trap ourselves in a cycle of confusion.

The Unmoving Mind

Non-existence can give rise to existence, and existence can return to non-existence. If you can attain a state of meditative concentration where your heart remains unmoved, then both existence and non-existence will cease to disturb you. If you can attain purity, then both existence and non-existence will be pure. If you can attain clarity, then both existence and non-existence will be clear. The state of your heart determines how you experience the world.

The True Nature of Emptiness

When you perceive existence and non-existence as one and the same, you will truly attain the state of non-existence. This is the state of the true self, which is characterised by the following qualities:

• No-mind: A heart that is free from attachment and wandering thoughts.
• No-form: Seeing beyond the superficial appearances of the world to the underlying truth.
• No-self: Letting go of the ego that clings to identity and personal gain.
• No-selfishness: Acting with a heart of universal compassion that seeks only to benefit others.
• No-thought: A mind that is still, luminous, and unburdened by the projections of the past or future.

This is the true nature of emptiness, where the true self resides.

The Path of Letting Go

Within non-existence, there is existence; within existence, there is non-existence. All the myriad phenomena of this world exist between these two poles. You must learn to see through and let go of existence, and you must also see through and let go of non-existence. Only when you have truly released your attachment to both will you realise what is truly existent and what is truly non-existent. This is the path to Awakening.

Recorded by the Buddha's disciple, Venerable HaiZe.