Traveling through time and space.

Chapter 15: Exploring the Secret of the Mindless Land—Exploring the Secret of the Mindless Land, Nearly Losing My True Self

In the ancient Indian temples, whose mysteries have been etched by time, I, having accumulated insights and experience through mindful practice, have aroused a deep curiosity about a more profound realm: the mindless realm, where consciousness suspends its activity. Like a fearless explorer, I long to delve into this mysterious realm and uncover its true nature, hidden behind the thick fog.

Sunlight filtered through the dappled leaves, casting a play of interwoven patterns of light and shadow along the temple path. Filled with wonder and anticipation, I journeyed to visit the temple's highly respected Master Huiming. His meditation room was located in the temple's backyard, surrounded by several ancient bodhi trees. The gentle breeze rustled the leaves, a whisper of ancient Buddhist chants that imbued this tranquil aura with a sacredness. I gently pushed open the door to the room. Master Huiming sat upright on a cushion, his eyes deep and serene, as if gazing intently at everything. After respectfully bowing, I dived straight into the subject, asking him about the secrets of the mindless realm.

Master Huiming nodded slightly and slowly said, "For those who are in a state of no mind, the activities of the mind are temporarily stopped, like the surface of a lake when the wind stops and the waves subside, deep and quiet. In the deep state of concentration, such as the state of no thought, practitioners can experience a kind of emptiness and tranquility that transcends the ordinary, but this state is also full of danger and confusion." The master's words were like a bright lamp, lighting up a road to the unknown before my eyes, although this road seemed to be full of challenges and uncertainties.

Under the careful guidance of Master Huiming, I decided to attempt to enter the state of no-mind. I chose a secluded cave in the mountains behind the temple as my retreat. Dark and damp, the cave exuded a unique tranquility, a sense of isolation from the world—the perfect place to explore the depths of my heart. I spread out a simple cushion in the cave and began my spiritual journey.

I began by regulating my breathing, making it even and long. Gradually, my body and mind began to relax. As my meditation deepened, I felt as if my consciousness gradually left my body and entered a strange dimension. Everything around me became blurry, and only the inner sense of peace grew stronger. I continued to deepen, striving to achieve a state of no-mind, where consciousness pauses. In this process, I experienced a variety of wonderful experiences. At times, I felt as if I were immersed in a vast universe, surrounded by endless darkness and twinkling stars, and time and space seemed to have lost their meaning. At other times, I felt as if I had returned to the beginning of life: a state of chaos, without any thoughts or emotions, only pure existence.

However, as I immersed myself deeper and deeper in this state of mindlessness, danger loomed. I began to lose myself, my sense of self-existence growing fainter and fainter, as if I were about to vanish completely in this silent nothingness. A surge of intense fear surged within me, but in this state of mindlessness, I struggled to muster the strength to resist. I felt like a ship lost on the vast ocean, swallowed by endless darkness and waves.

Just as I was about to lose myself completely in the realm of mindlessness, Master Huiming appeared in my consciousness like a ray of light piercing the darkness. His kind yet resolute voice echoed within me: "Disciple, do not lose yourself. Being mindless does not mean annihilation. Return to mindfulness and regain your self." Like a powerful mantra, the Master's voice awakened my consciousness, which was about to sink. I struggled hard, trying to reconnect with myself.

After much effort, I finally retreated from the edge of the heartless realm and regained my sense of self. As I emerged from the cave, the sunlight blinded me. I felt as if I had gone through a life-or-death ordeal. I felt a little drained, yet my heart was filled with profound insights from this experience.

I realized that while being mindless is a profound state of spiritual practice, it's by no means the end of it. It's more like a mirror, allowing me to see the infinite possibilities and potential dangers within. In this process, I nearly lost my true self in the pursuit of ultimate silence, a dangerous tendency.

After returning to the temple, I saw a group of young practitioners sitting together, enthusiastically discussing various spiritual realms. Their eyes were filled with curiosity and desire, but also revealed misunderstandings about some of the more profound realms. I walked over and joined their discussion.

A young practitioner saw me, his eyes sparkling with excitement. He said, "Brother, we've heard that the Mindless Land is a profoundly mysterious state. Could you please tell us about your experience?" Looking at their innocent and eager faces, a sense of responsibility welled up within me. I slowly sat down and began to recount my own experience in the Mindless Land.

I said, "Fellow practitioners, being mindless is indeed a desirable state, in which you can experience unprecedented tranquility and emptiness. But you must know that it is not an ultimate goal to be pursued persistently. Just like when I was exploring, I almost lost myself. If it weren't for Master Huiming's timely awakening, I might have sunk forever into that void. The purpose of our practice is to gain insight into ourselves in various realms, to enhance our wisdom, and ultimately to achieve liberation and enlightenment, not to lose our true self in pursuit of a specific state."

After hearing this, the young practitioners fell into deep thought. One of them frowned and said, "Brother, how should we correctly view the state of no-mind?" I smiled and patiently explained, "We should treat it with a normal mind, viewing it as a stage on the path of practice, a tool to help us better understand the mind and self. During practice, we must always maintain inner awareness and mindfulness, not be confused by the state, and not cling to any experience. Whether it is intentional or unintentional, we must use the wisdom of Buddhism to understand its essence. Only in this way can we steadily move forward on the path of practice."

In my interactions with young practitioners, I've witnessed their passion for spiritual practice, as well as their confusion. This has made me more deeply aware of my own responsibility on the spiritual path. I must not only pursue my own liberation and enlightenment, but also share my experiences and insights with those who come after me, helping them avoid misunderstandings in their practice.

During this phase of my practice, I delved deeply into the mysterious and dangerous realm of the No Mind Land, experiencing the wondrous and terrifying wonders of the suspended consciousness. This profoundly impacted and expanded traditional understandings of the mind. Under the guidance of Master Huiming, I bravely explored the No Mind Land, struggled to return when faced with danger, and actively shared my experiences and insights with young practitioners, guiding them in their proper understanding of spiritual realms. These actions exemplified my active practice on the spiritual path. Regarding the fruition, I gained a new depth of understanding of self and consciousness, realizing that the No Mind Land is not annihilation, but rather a state that requires careful consideration. I also planted the seeds of a correct spiritual perspective in the hearts of young practitioners, contributing to the transmission and development of Buddhism within the monastery. However, I also clearly understand that this exploration of the No Mind Land is only a blip in my long journey of practice. There are still many more challenges and mysteries to discover and comprehend. With this awe and curiosity, I will continue steadfastly on the path of practice.