Traveling through time and space.

Chapter 14: Insight from the Heart - "Observing the Activities of the Mind and Reflecting on the Causes of Good and Evil Karma"

In the atmosphere of the ancient Indian temple, which is full of tranquility and wisdom, time flows slowly. After experiencing a series of twists and turns in my previous practice, I gradually focused my attention on the mind deep in my heart and began to deeply understand the active state of my consciousness.

In the early morning, as the first rays of sunlight gently filtered through the temple courtyard, I sat quietly in a corner, beginning my journey of contemplation of my mind. I witnessed my mind as a vibrant lake, thoughts like ripples on its surface, sometimes gently rippling, sometimes surging. Sometimes, a single thought would trigger a chain of thoughts, entwined and intertwined like waterweed at the bottom of a lake, stretching endlessly. I saw that when the temple bell rang and the sound waves reached my ears, my mind instantly reacted, first perceiving the sound, then conjuring associations with the bell's religious significance, and then drifting back to past experiences with similar bell sounds. This series of mental activities unfolded like a silent drama, quietly unfolding on the stage of my heart.

In my daily life, I not only focus on observing my own mind but also on those around me. In the temple's dining hall, I saw a young practitioner share a meal, a subtle hint of greed in his eyes. His gaze lingered briefly on the more delicate food. Although he quickly concealed it, this subtle shift in his mind didn't escape my notice. Meanwhile, another older practitioner, while facing a young novice who had made an error, maintained a serious expression, yet his eyes revealed compassion and forgiveness. His mind was clearly striving to strike a balance between instruction and compassion. Through these observations, I have gained a deeper understanding of the diversity and complexity of the mind's activities. It acts like an invisible conductor, manipulating our words and actions, yet we are often unconsciously driven by it.

As my observation deepened, I became increasingly aware of the intricate connection between good and bad karma and the mind. Every good thought is like planting a beautiful seed in the heart. When the conditions are ripe, it will bear good fruit, bringing well-being to oneself and others. For example, when I feel compassion and reach out to help an injured animal, the action sparked by this good thought not only alleviates the animal's suffering but also accumulates good karma within myself, bringing a sense of inner peace and joy. In contrast, evil thoughts are like poisonous weeds. Once they take root, they spread throughout the mind's garden, bringing endless suffering and trouble. I once saw a fellow practitioner, driven by jealousy, slandering others behind their backs. His face gradually became distorted, and his eyes were filled with negativity. These evil thoughts ultimately strained interpersonal relationships within the temple, and he himself became consumed by guilt and anxiety.

Having gained a deeper understanding of the relationship between good and bad karma and the mind, I have become even more resolute to use Buddhist wisdom to guide my mind towards goodness and the path to liberation. I recite the sutras daily, searching within them for wisdom that can purify my mind. Each verse is like a key, unlocking the door to a deep understanding of the true meaning of Buddhism. I practice the power of meditation. In the quiet of my meditation room, when distracting thoughts arise, I bring mindfulness to bear on them, like a bright light illuminating a dark corner, revealing the hidden greed, hatred, and delusion within. Then, I analyze these thoughts through Buddhist teachings to understand their illusory nature, reassuring myself that they are merely temporary fluctuations of the mind, not my true self, and gradually diminishing their influence.

The temple recently organized a charity event to help villagers in impoverished surrounding villages. I actively participated, hoping that through the process of helping others, I could further understand the profound meaning of mindful spiritual practice. We traveled to the village with food, clothing, and medicine. As I entered the dilapidated houses and saw the villagers' weathered faces, their eyes filled with longing and helplessness for life, I was deeply moved. At the home of an elderly man, he was seriously ill and bedridden. His family gathered around his bed, their eyes filled with helplessness. I handed them medicine and chanted prayers for the elderly man. In that moment, I felt a deep connection with the villagers' suffering, and a strong sense of mission emerged. I wasn't just providing material assistance; I was spreading the compassion and care of the Dharma, hoping to plant seeds of kindness in their hearts and help them find hope and strength amidst their adversities.

During this charity event, I unexpectedly ran into a fellow practitioner with whom I had previously had a grudge. He, too, had been unhappy with me over a previous issue regarding the allocation of temple resources, and our relationship had been strained. However, in the face of the villagers' suffering, we both temporarily put aside our grudges. While we were carrying supplies for a family, he accidentally cut his hand on the heavy object. I instinctively took out a handkerchief and bandaged the wound. He was momentarily startled, but then a hint of gratitude flashed in his eyes. At that moment, the ice between us began to melt.

Afterward, during a break, we sat together and began a candid conversation. I spoke first, "Brother, I also made many mistakes in the past. When allocating resources, perhaps I didn't fully consider everyone's feelings, which led to many misunderstandings." He listened, sighed softly, and said, "Brother, I'm also at fault. I shouldn't have complained about you behind your back in a fit of anger, and it affected the harmonious atmosphere of the temple." We smiled at each other, and in that laughter, the past grudges and hatreds faded. Through this reconciliation, I deeply realized the power of spiritual practice: it can dissolve hatred and entanglements in the heart, bringing true liberation and purification to the soul.

During this phase of my practice, I reached a deeper state of mindfulness. I gained a clearer understanding of the various states of mind activity and the connection between good and bad karma and mind. Through charitable activities, I felt the suffering and needs of sentient beings. This became an external condition for my practice, prompting further reflection and growth. In terms of practice, through observing my own and others' minds, guiding my mind with Buddhist wisdom, participating in charitable activities, and reconciling with fellow practitioners, I continuously rectified my speech, behavior, and inner state, striving to integrate Buddhist teachings into every aspect of my daily life. In terms of results, I gained inner peace and joy, deepened my understanding of the Dharma, improved my relationships with fellow practitioners, and planted seeds of kindness in the hearts of the villagers, contributing to the spread of the compassion and wisdom of the Dharma. All of this demonstrates that I have taken a solid step forward on the path of mindfulness. However, I also deeply understand that there is still a long way to go, and many more realms await my exploration and understanding. With this unwavering faith, I will continue to forge ahead on my journey of practice.