Traveling through time and space.

Chapter 5: Exploring the Land of Mind—Searching for Mysteries in the Sea of ​​Mind and Tranquility in the Heart

In a meditation room in an ancient Indian temple, filled with the scent of sandalwood and tranquility, I sat cross-legged on a cushion and began to delve deeply into the sixth consciousness, as described in the Yogacarabhumi Sutra. As my practice progressed, I increasingly realized the complex and ever-changing nature of this sixth consciousness in thought and cognition, like a deep, boundless, and ever-changing mysterious ocean: sometimes calm and clear, sometimes turbulent, with a flood of distracting thoughts.

Every meditation session feels like a profound conversation with my inner self. I close my eyes, try to breathe evenly and slowly, and focus my attention on the invisible stream of consciousness. Yet, more often than not, my mind races with distracting thoughts like unbridled wild horses, galloping through it. Sometimes I yearn for my family and friends in the modern world, those familiar faces and happy voices constantly resurfacing before my eyes. Then, I worry and doubt about my spiritual path in ancient India, wondering if I can truly grasp the essence of Buddhism and achieve liberation. I know these distracting thoughts are the obstacles on the path of practice, and I must overcome them through deep introspection to achieve true inner peace.

To better explore the mysteries of consciousness, I often consulted the elders of the temple. The elder, now over 70 years old, had a face weathered by the vicissitudes of life, yet exuded an otherworldly tranquility and peace. His eyes were deep and wise, as if containing an endless treasure trove of wisdom. Just one glance could move one deeply and comfort one's soul.

One day, filled with confusion and anticipation, I arrived at the elder's residence. It was a simple yet elegant little room, bare except for a cushion, a low table, and a few neatly arranged scriptures. Sunlight streamed through the windows, casting patches of golden light on the floor. Dust particles danced slowly in the light, adding to the tranquil atmosphere. After respectfully bowing to the elder, I dived straight into the topic, recounting the various difficulties I'd encountered in my mindfulness practice.

The elder nodded slightly, pondered for a moment, and then slowly spoke, "Consciousness is like a castle in the sky; it appears real, but in reality it is illusory and impermanent. The distracting thoughts you see are all due to your attachment to the self and the outside world. You should know that all things in the world are born from the combination of causes and conditions and have no independent nature. You must practice contemplation to understand the rise and fall of consciousness and not follow its flow. Only then can you find peace in your mind." The elder's words were like a bright light, instantly illuminating my path. His profound and easy-to-understand explanation gave me a deeper understanding of the sixth consciousness. It turns out that consciousness is not a fixed, unchanging entity, but a phenomenon that constantly arises and disappears under various conditions.

After returning to my meditation room, I began practicing mindfulness during meditation, following the elder's instructions. When distracting thoughts arose, I no longer let them carry me away, as I had in the past. Instead, I quietly observed them, like standing on the bank and watching the water flow, letting it flow without being disturbed. At first, this was difficult; distracting thoughts were so powerful that they would often sweep my attention away without me even noticing. But with continued practice, I gradually became able to notice them the moment they arose and maintain a clear mindfulness.

In my daily practice, I've also developed the habit of recording my confusions and discoveries in mindfulness practice. During each meditation session, I meticulously record the questions I encounter, my inner insights, and my new understanding of consciousness, creating a personal practice notebook. Periodically, I gather with fellow practitioners to discuss these notes.

At a seminar, I shared my confusion about the relationship between consciousness and dreams. "In dreams," I said, "our consciousness seems even more uncontrolled, with all sorts of fantastical visions flooding in. Sometimes, I experience incredibly realistic scenes in my dreams, even experiencing intense emotions like joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness. This makes me wonder: what is the connection between dream consciousness and waking consciousness? Are they just different manifestations of the same consciousness?" Fellow practitioners offered their insights. Some believe that dreams are a projection of consciousness, a reflection of our subconscious desires and fears; others believe that dreams may be a mysterious gateway to a higher level of consciousness. Through in-depth exploration of dreams, we can better understand the nature of consciousness.

In this lively discussion, I gained many valuable opinions and suggestions, and also gained a more diverse understanding of the mysteries of consciousness. However, the path of spiritual practice is always full of unknowns and challenges.

One night, while meditating, I unknowingly fell asleep. In my dream, I found myself in a mysterious valley shrouded in mist. A faint haze permeated the valley, and the surrounding scenery loomed, creating an ethereal and magical atmosphere. As I gazed around, a mysterious, wise man in a white robe and with a kind face appeared before me. His eyes shone with profound wisdom and tranquility, as if he could see through the truth of all things in the world.

The wise man smiled at me and slowly spoke, "Your diligent search in the ocean of consciousness is commendable. However, the deeper secrets of consciousness lie beyond your surface appearances. When you awaken, you can transcend the selflessness of dreams, free from the constraints of consciousness, and only then can you realize the true nature." With a gentle wave of his sleeve, the surrounding scene shifted. I saw myself in different situations, manipulated by myriad emotions and desires, acting like a puppet. These images brought home to me the limitations and attachments of my own consciousness.

Suddenly, the crisp chirping of birds awoke me from my dream. I slowly opened my eyes, recalling the teachings of the wise man in my dream. A strong sense of purpose surged within me. I knew this was no ordinary dream, but a revelation from deep within, perhaps from a higher dimension. Since then, I've diligently sought to incorporate the lessons of my dream into my daily practice. Whether chanting, meditating, or interacting with others, I constantly remind myself to maintain a clear and aware mind, unswayed by distractions and attachments, and striving to reach higher levels of mindful practice.

In my journey to explore the realm of mind, I constantly faced inner conflicts. Sometimes, I'd become arrogant after making even a small progress in my practice, believing I was close to liberation. Other times, I'd fall into despair and self-doubt after encountering insurmountable difficulties. But after each inner struggle, I'd turn to the elders' teachings and scriptures for strength, re-examining my approach to practice and strengthening my resolve to explore the mysteries of this ocean of mind and find tranquility within the heart's source.