Traveling through time and space.

Chapter 32: Insight into the Pratyekabuddha Stage—"Insight into the Pratyekabuddha Stage, Awakening the Heart and Wisdom"

Amidst the morning bells and evening drums of Lingxu Mountain, Amin immersed himself in a deep exploration of the practice of solitary enlightenment. Through his previous insights in the mountains and discussions with fellow practitioners, he gradually gained a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of solitary enlightenment.

Amin understood that the key to enlightenment for those who are solitary awakened lies in their ability to observe nature and their inner selves. They immerse themselves in the universe, perceiving the subtle changes of nature with an ethereal heart. The blooming and withering of a flower, the falling and returning of a leaf, the flow and drying of a spring—in the eyes of those who are solitary awakened, each contains revelations of universal truth. While observing nature, they also delve deeply into introspection, examining the ups and downs of their own hearts, capturing the flicker of light that leads to enlightenment in the fleeting moments of thought.

Amin began to integrate this insight into the mechanism of solitary enlightenment into his own practice. Every morning, he would ascend to a mountaintop, face the rising sun, and close his eyes in meditation. He would first direct his awareness outward, listening to the chirping of mountain birds, the rustling of the breeze through the trees, the roar of a distant waterfall. He would carefully feel the warmth of the sun, the flow of the air, and the calmness of the earth. After fully experiencing the external world, he would slowly draw his awareness inward, observing his own thoughts. At first, his mind was like a wild horse running wild, with thoughts racing. But Amin remained calm. With a gentle yet steadfast awareness, he silently watched the arising and passing of these thoughts, just as he would watch the fleeting gathering and dispersing of clouds on the horizon.

With continued practice, Amin's awareness improved significantly. He found that he could more acutely perceive changes in his surroundings and the fluctuations of his inner emotions in his daily activities. For example, while walking along a mountain path, he could feel the texture and feel of each stone beneath his feet and the subtle fragrance of the surrounding flowers and plants. He was also clearly aware of his own inner reactions to these external things, whether they were joy, peace, or other emotions. This increased awareness gave him a more precise understanding of his spiritual state.

Ah Ming not only applies this insight method to his mountain retreats but also incorporates it into his daily life. While helping to clean the monastery courtyard, he no longer sweeps mechanically as usual. Instead, he becomes aware of every movement as he swings the broom, feeling the force flowing through his arms and the shifting of his body's center of gravity. He also pays attention to any feelings of boredom or impatience arising within him. When communicating with fellow practitioners, he is also able to keenly perceive the emotions and intentions behind their words, as well as his own corresponding reactions, whether they are resonance, doubt, or something else entirely.

Once, Ah Ming met a female practitioner in front of the temple's Buddha Hall. Upon seeing Ah Ming, the woman's eyes lit up with admiration, and she said, "Brother Ah Ming, I've heard that you've recently gained considerable insights into the practice of the Pratyekabuddha realm. I often ponder the wisdom of the Pratyekabuddhas in my own practice, but I always find it elusive. Could you share your insights?"

Ah Ming smiled and replied, "Junior Sister, the wisdom of the solitary enlightened ones is actually in every blade of grass and tree, every thought and every thought around us. They attain enlightenment through meticulous observation of nature and deep insight into their inner selves. Just like us in this temple, the solemnity of each Buddha statue and the curling smoke of each incense stick can become objects of our observation, from which we can experience impermanence and silence. And the thoughts in our hearts, whether good, evil, or neutral, are opportunities for us to understand ourselves and move towards enlightenment."

The female practitioner nodded thoughtfully and said, "Brother, how can we better utilize this kind of observation and insight in our daily practice? Sometimes I fall into the dilemma of focusing solely on my inner self and ignoring the outside world, or being distracted by the outside world and losing sight of my inner self."

Amin patiently explained, "Junior Sister, this requires us to find a balance. For example, when reciting scriptures, while we focus on the meaning of the text, we should also pay attention to our breathing, the sensations of our bodies, and the sounds of our surroundings, integrating our internal and external perceptions. When we face external temptations or distractions, we should not resist them, but face them with awareness, seeing clearly how these temptations or distractions affect our hearts, and thus maintaining inner clarity."

The two stood before the Buddha Hall, engaging in a deep discussion about the practical application of the practice of the solitary enlightenment realm in daily life. Fellow practitioners, observing their discussion, gathered around to join in the exchange of spiritual wisdom. Some shared their own successes in applying this insight method, while others raised their own questions and concerns. Ah Ming listened, answering everyone's questions with his own insights and profound understanding of the solitary enlightenment realm.

During this discussion, some differing viewpoints clashed. One older practitioner suggested that excessive focus on inner thoughts could lead practitioners to become trapped in their own little world, neglecting the bodhisattva's aspiration to save all sentient beings. In response, Amin said, "Brother, your concern is not without reason. However, when we delve into our inner selves, we should not become trapped in ourselves. Rather, through a clear understanding of our own hearts, we should better understand the hearts of all sentient beings. All sentient beings experience similar afflictions and confusions as we do. When we can discern our own inner greed, hatred, and delusion, we can more keenly perceive the suffering of sentient beings and thus liberate them in more appropriate ways. This is not inconsistent with the purpose of the bodhisattva path; on the contrary, it provides a more solid foundation for our journey to save sentient beings."

As the discussion deepened, everyone's understanding of the practice of the solitary enlightenment realm became more comprehensive and profound. Seeing the practitioners' enthusiasm for exploration, Amin was filled with joy. He knew that through this exchange and sharing, everyone was constantly growing and progressing, taking another solid step forward on the path of practice and realization according to the Yogacarabhumi Sutra. He, in this process, also deepened his insight into the solitary enlightenment realm, more closely integrating its wisdom with the practice of the bodhisattva path. This further elevated his own spiritual realm, brightened his inner awareness and wisdom, and enabled him to face the challenges and opportunities on the spiritual path with a broader perspective and deeper wisdom.