Traveling through time and space.

Chapter 53: Ups and downs and breakthroughs in spiritual practice (VII) "Obsession is as deep as the sea, letting go brings freedom"

In the tranquil and sacred temple of Lingxu Mountain, after enduring a storm of slander and humiliation with patience, Ah Ming thought his path to spiritual practice would be somewhat smoother. However, he was startled to discover that deep within his heart, some obsessions, as hard to dispel as ghosts, were quietly eroding the foundation of his practice, like heavy shackles, imprisoning his mind in an invisible cage.

Ah Ming always held high aspirations for his spiritual progress. This intense desire to attain higher levels of spiritual attainment gradually morphed into an obsession. Whenever he sat in meditation, attempting to penetrate deeper into concentration and glimpse the higher realms of Buddhist wisdom, the anxiety of achieving something quickly surged over him like a surging tide. He found himself unable to calmly immerse himself in the nuances of his practice as he once had. Instead, he was constantly overwhelmed by an invisible pressure, his mind and eyes filled with an eager pursuit of a realm he had yet to attain.

During a spiritual retreat, Amin hoped to use it as an opportunity to break through his current bottleneck and reach a higher state. He prepared meticulously for the retreat, hoping to achieve a quantum leap in his spiritual development during this period of isolation. However, the opposite happened. His obsession, like a straitjacket, shrouded his thoughts, making it difficult to concentrate. Every time he felt he was on the verge of a higher state, his inner anxiety and impatience would rush in like a wild horse, instantly scattering his glimmer of clarity and causing him to repeatedly fail.

Amidst these repeated failures and setbacks, Amin began to painfully reflect on his mindset in spiritual practice. He realized he had become mired in a quagmire of obsession, unable to extricate himself. This excessive focus on spiritual accomplishments, far from helping him make significant strides forward, had become a significant obstacle. He knew that if he couldn't break free from this obsession, his spiritual practice would remain stagnant, and he might even be led astray by this inner demon.

Ah Ming then made a resolute decision to abandon this obsession, as deep and dangerous as the ocean. He began to let go of his blind pursuit of higher realms and refocus his mind on the present moment. When he once again sat on the meditation cushion, he no longer anxiously pursued some unattainable goal. Instead, he focused on feeling the rhythm of his breath, the ebb and flow of his thoughts, and the subtle changes in his body and mind at every moment.

At first, it wasn't easy. The long-suppressed obsession would occasionally stir within him, trying to regain control. But Amin remained steadfast in his resolve. Whenever the obsession arose, he would examine it with the wisdom of Buddhism, discerning its illusory nature. He told himself that spiritual practice is a long and arduous journey, like sailing on a winding river. Only by following its natural course, undeceived by the blossoming flowers or dense thorns along the banks, can one successfully reach the other shore. If one blindly clings to a specific goal, ignoring the scenery and inner insights along the way, even if one finally reaches their destination, one will find that they have missed out on much more precious things.

Over time, Ah Ming gradually found inner peace and tranquility through this practice of focusing on the present moment. No longer burdened by invisible pressures, his thoughts grew clearer and more tranquil. During a serendipitous meditation session, while focusing his full attention on his present state of mind and body, he was pleasantly surprised to discover that he had inadvertently broken through a bottleneck in his practice that had so painstakingly sought but always eluded him. At that moment, he profoundly realized that true practice isn't about deliberately pursuing a certain state, but rather about experiencing the true meaning of Buddhism in each ordinary moment with a pure and unattached heart.

Ming knew that the valuable experience he had gained from battling and ultimately letting go of obsession would undoubtedly be a valuable asset for his fellow disciples who were groping their way forward on the spiritual path. So, he decided to gather his disciples together to share his journey, teaching them to be constantly vigilant about the dangers of obsession and to learn to let go of it at the right time in their practice.

In the temple courtyard, sunlight filtered through the dappled leaves, casting patches of golden light on the ground. Amin sat among his disciples, his face serene yet solemn. He spoke slowly, "My disciples, the path of spiritual practice is like a thorny and perilous path. The most common factor that leads us astray is our obsession. I once became obsessed with the pursuit of a higher spiritual realm, believing that only by reaching a higher level could I truly grasp the essence of the Dharma. However, I was profoundly mistaken."

A young disciple, puzzled, asked, "Master, shouldn't we strive for higher realms in our cultivation? Without a goal, how can we strive?" Ah Ming smiled and patiently explained, "There's nothing wrong with pursuing a higher realm, but if that pursuit becomes an obsession, it strays from the true path of cultivation. We should view our goal as a distant beacon, guiding us. However, as we move forward, our gaze shouldn't be limited to that single point of light. Instead, we should carefully savor every step and experience every joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness that comes with cultivation. It's like climbing a mountain. If we focus solely on the beautiful scenery at the top and ignore the mountains, rivers, streams, flowers, birds, insects, and fish along the way, even if we reach the summit, all we'll see is an empty landscape. But when we let go of our obsessions and truly appreciate everything along the way, we'll find that every step is filled with surprises and rewards, and the beauty of the summit will unfold before our very eyes."

Amin then detailed his inner struggles in letting go of obsession and his ultimate path to liberation. He said, "When I realized I was trapped by obsession, I first tried to acknowledge its presence. I discovered that obsession was like a shadow hidden deep within my heart. Whenever I encountered difficulties or setbacks in my practice, it would quietly surface, manipulating my emotions and thoughts. So, I began to apply the Buddhist method of contemplation, like holding a bright mirror to illuminate the darkness within. I calmed down and examined the source of my desire for spiritual attainments. I discovered that it stemmed from both pride and vanity in my own spiritual achievements, as well as a one-sided and narrow understanding of the Dharma."

"After recognizing the root of my obsession, I worked hard to let it go. This wasn't something that happened overnight, but rather a long and painful process. I often silently recite the teachings of Buddhist scriptures, reminding myself that everything in the world is impermanent, like a dream or bubble. The spiritual realms are merely stations in the process of spiritual growth, not the final destination. Whenever obsessions arise again, I take a deep breath to calm my emotions and bring my attention back to the present moment. I no longer deliberately pursue the achievement of a certain state, but instead focus on the Buddhist wisdom contained in every chanting, every meditation, and every interaction with sentient beings."

The disciples listened intently to Amin's teachings, their eyes gleaming with understanding and reflection. Under Amin's guidance, they began to reflect on whether they, too, harbored similar obsessions in their own spiritual practice. Some realized that their desire for recognition and their attachment to a particular practice were underlying obsessions that were hindering their deeper exploration of the spiritual path.

A disciple named Huiwu had long been obsessed with a particular form of meditation, believing that mastering it was the only way to excel in his practice. But after listening to Master Amin's teachings, he began to reevaluate his mindset. He tried to let go of his attachment to that particular practice and explore and learn other forms of cultivation. In this process, he found his perspective broadened, and his understanding of the Dharma was no longer limited to a single dimension. He said with emotion, "Master, your teachings have been like a revelation, a revelation. I had been bound by my own obsessions, but now, having let go, I truly feel the freedom and joy of practice."

Over time, under Amin's meticulous guidance, his disciples gradually learned to be wary of the dangers of obsession and diligently practiced the path of renunciation in their practice. Their mindsets grew calmer and more resolute, and they no longer felt the anxiety and confusion they once felt when facing difficulties and challenges. Watching his disciples' growth and progress, Amin felt a surge of joy and satisfaction. He understood that renunciation is a crucial hurdle every practitioner must overcome in the long journey of spiritual practice. Only by successfully overcoming this obstacle can one truly navigate the ocean of Buddhist wisdom, achieve spiritual liberation and enlightenment, and steadily advance toward the higher realms of spiritual realization outlined in the Yogacarabhumi Sutra. The state, practice, and fruit of spiritual practice are fully manifested in this ongoing process of awakening and growth.