Today, let’s talk a bit about mindful practice and why it is important to always keep our mind in peace.
In essence, Buddhism is a practice that brings peace to the mind. The greatest suffering in life truly lies in the unrest of the mind. The root cause of various physical ailments often stems from a mind that is constantly agitated, filled with anxiety and worries.
In today’s world, people may experience hardships and struggles due to economic issues, work-related stress, emotional pain from relationships, or excessive burdens in family life. Life is often filled with dissatisfaction—be it in learning, work, or daily living—resulting in various pressures that make it difficult for the mind to find stability. Excessive thoughts and worries lead to insomnia, poor digestion, constipation, and various health issues, depleting one’s vitality and well-being. The fundamental cause lies in unclear thinking, excessive desires, and unwillingness to let go, causing the mind to be restless.
To restore health, it is essential to cultivate a peaceful mind. The first step is to normalize thoughts and calm the mind. Only then can the body’s vital energy flow naturally, promoting overall health.
The Confucian philosophy emphasizes that cultivating oneself begins with rectifying the mind. If the mind harbors resentment, it cannot be considered righteous. If there is fear, it cannot be considered righteous. If there are excessive likes and dislikes, it cannot be considered righteous. If there are worries and concerns, it cannot be considered righteous.
The Bible also tells us to seek for the peace of mind, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in you.” (Isaiah 26:3) “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)
In modern times, we, as individuals, lead extremely busy lives, driven by the pursuit of fame and wealth. We strive for more money, larger houses, and fancier cars, and even seek more sensual pleasures. In doing so, our desires become insatiable, leading to endless pursuits that disturb the tranquility of our minds. All afflictions, sufferings, and illnesses arise from this.
The restlessness of the mind is a result of excessive greed and delusions. With eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and body, we possess tools – the eyes perceive colors, ears hear sounds, and so on. This gives rise to mental images and thoughts, with the word “thought” representing an image standing above the mind. This is the realm of deluded consciousness, the realm of false thoughts. The functioning of this deluded mind is twofold: on the positive side, it contributes to the evolution of all human affairs and the establishment of a beautiful life. On the negative side, it gives rise to all kinds of afflictions, confusion, and harmful actions that harm others and disadvantage oneself. Life is like a dream, but most people remain unaware and continue to dream of becoming wealthy, living in an illusory world.
Regarding its impact on the body, the deluded mind can have positive effects by harmonizing blood and vital energy, promoting longevity. On the negative side, it can generate excessive heat in the heart, cause wind disturbances in the liver, and harm the lungs. Excessive mental exertion leads to a weakened heart, an overactive liver, and imbalances in the digestive system, resulting in poor digestion and inadequate nutrition. The liver’s dominance over the spleen weakens the digestive system, leading to unrestful sleep. Moreover, the spleen, in turn, controls the kidneys, causing a significant decline in kidney water. When water is insufficient, the fire element becomes more dominant, weakening the heart’s energy. The interconnectedness of internal organs means that any imbalance affects the entire system, and one disease can lead to multiple health issues.
Ancient sages taught us to clarify and understand the mind. They emphasized the importance of realizing that everything in the world, including achievements, fame, and material wealth, is illusory and fleeting like a passing cloud. True understanding can only be gained by cultivating a clear mind. By understanding and then refining the mind, one can achieve a tranquil state of mind. This is the key to “transcending all suffering” and eliminating the afflictions of the mind and the illnesses of the body and mind. The saying “the cure for an ailing mind lies in the mind itself” encapsulates this wisdom.
In the teachings of ancient sages, there is an emphasis on the cultivation of wisdom and awareness. Understanding the impermanence of worldly pursuits, such as wealth and status, helps one break free from attachments. Cultivating a clear mind leads to inner realization, enabling one to embark on the path of self-improvement.
When referring to Buddhism, it is often described as the great healer or physician. The Buddha, as the compassionate doctor, comes to our world to address our illnesses and afflictions, providing prescriptions and remedies to alleviate our mental and physical suffering. The Buddha’s teachings are likened to medicine, skillfully administered to cure our ailments.
The first prescription given by the Buddha is to turn inward and become aware of our own minds. The initial step is to awaken from within. A genuinely awakened person will not be swayed by greed, anger, or delusions. They will not engage in reckless behavior, nor will they become apathetic and detached from societal concerns, recognizing the interconnectedness of all. The root cause of mental and physical disturbances lies in deluded thinking, so the remedy lies in calming the mind, which, in turn, involves dispelling delusions, cultivating clarity, and achieving self-awareness.
The Buddha’s teachings, delivered with earnestness, guide us towards awakening from the dream-like state of existence, urging us to awaken from the illusions of life.
Confucianism teaches “Ge Wu Zhi Zhi,” which means to get rid of our attachment to material things to achieve wisdom. It starts with cutting off our desires and delusions, aiming to eliminate excessive material pursuits. Only by stopping these pursuits can the mind find peace.
Confucianism states: “To understand the limit is to have stability; to be stable is to be tranquil; to be tranquil is to be at ease; to be at ease is to be able to deliberate; to deliberate is to be able to attain.” This is the Confucian path to tranquility, and its principles align with those in Buddhism. Only with a peaceful mind can one achieve mindful understanding and enlightenment.
Confucianism emphasizes the importance of understanding limits, as it leads to stability. Through stability, one can attain tranquility, and with tranquility comes a sense of ease. This ease allows for thoughtful contemplation, and through such contemplation, one can achieve true understanding of ourselves and the world we live in. This Confucian approach to finding peace aligns with the principles emphasized in all religious practice – that a tranquil mind is necessary for true comprehension and life fulfillment.
So in a busy world, always remember to take some time off and be close to God, Buddha and the ancient sages.
Yingxiong Feng