Traveling through time and space.

Chapter 54: Ups and downs and breakthroughs in spiritual practice (VIII) "When the inner demons run wild, maintain peace and well-being with concentration"

In the peaceful temple blessed by the Buddha's light on Mount Lingxu, after successfully letting go of his obsessions and pointing out the right path of practice to his disciples, Amin thought he could make steady progress in the realm of practice. However, the inner demon lurking deep in his heart was like a trapped beast unwilling to lie dormant, waiting for an opportunity to move, frequently stirring up trouble and causing his inner world to fluctuate.

This inner demon was incredibly cunning, often lurking in the depths of Amin's consciousness, lurking in the form of alluring phantoms of desire when he was least prepared. Sometimes, it manifested as a mountain of rare treasures, radiating a dazzling light that whispered that if Amin strayed even slightly from his spiritual path, all this wealth would be his. Sometimes, it transformed into a breathtakingly beautiful woman, graceful and alluring, using endless tenderness and allure to lure Amin into the entanglements of worldly love. Still other times, it presented itself as supreme power and glory, as if Amin were to envision himself high above, revered by all, and able to control the fate of all things with a single command.

These temptations, shaped by his inner demons, overwhelmed Amin like a surging tide, instantly shattering his rationality and convictions. Amin's emotions began to fluctuate wildly, his heart rippled with emotions. Sometimes he was tempted, a fleeting urge like a tiny seed, quietly planted deep within his heart; other times, his inner struggle plunged him into deep pain and self-blame. He knew that these desires ran counter to the Buddhist practice, and that indulging in them would only undo all his efforts. His thoughts became a tangled mess, like a tangled thread. The once clear and distinct Buddhist teachings, obscured by these inner demons, became blurred and indistinct. He felt as if he were lost in a dense, foggy forest, unable to find his way forward.

However, Ah Ming, a venerable monk who had endured countless trials and tribulations on his path, knew that if he gave in to his inner demons at this moment, he would be doomed. In this critical moment, he relied on the profound concentration amassed through years of practice, like a stabilizing force amidst raging winds and waves, resolutely stabilizing his nearly uncontrollable body and mind.

Amin slowly closed his eyes and took a deep breath, attempting to clear his mind of distractions and focus his full attention on the breath at the tip of his nose. He carefully felt the breath coming in and out. At first, his thoughts were still like a wild horse running wild, and the seductive images created by his inner demons continued to flash through his mind. But Amin did not give up. With tenacious perseverance, he repeatedly brought his wandering thoughts back to his breath. He seemed to have become a dedicated guardian, guarding the pure land of spiritual practice within his heart, and preventing even the slightest trace of the inner demons from intruding.

As time slowly passed, Amin's focus on his breathing deepened. He could clearly feel the cool, refreshing air flowing into his body like a trickle, nourishing every cell; with each exhale, the turbid air in his body slowly dissipated like a wisp of smoke, carrying away his inner restlessness and anxiety. With each breath, he established a subtle yet intimate connection with his inner self. He began to observe the ups and downs of his mind, like observing the occasional ripples on a calm lake. He saw that the greed, anger, and foolishness fueled by his inner demons were merely fleeting, illusory clouds. Though they appeared with overwhelming force, they possessed no real power. As long as he maintained his inner resolve and refrained from being misled by them, these demons would eventually dissipate on their own, like water without a source or a tree without roots.

Throughout this arduous battle with his inner demons, Amin maintained unwavering faith. His mind and body gradually regained their composure, and his inner world, once roiled by his inner demons, once again became clear and lucid, like a clear blue sky after rain, pure and peaceful. And after this long and intense struggle, Amin was pleasantly surprised to discover that his concentration had significantly improved. He was like steel tempered in fire, becoming even more resilient; like a pine tree sharpened by a fierce wind, standing taller and more upright.

Ming deeply understood that his experience of liberating himself from inner demons and enhancing his concentration was a valuable spiritual inspiration for fellow practitioners. He decided to share his insights on cultivating concentration with others, helping them better cope with the challenges of inner demons and fostering a positive and energetic spiritual practice environment.

Inside the temple's main hall, Amin gathered all his fellow practitioners. Standing before them with a solemn yet affable expression, he slowly began, "Fellow practitioners, the path of cultivation is never smooth sailing. The intrusion of inner demons follows us everywhere. Lately, I've been deeply troubled by this inner demon, tempting me with all sorts of desires in an attempt to divert me from the righteous path. However, through my concentration, I've been able to hold fast to my heart and successfully resolve the crisis. In the process, my concentration has also been further enhanced. Today, I'd like to share with you the methods for cultivating this concentration."

The practitioners all looked focused, their eyes filled with anticipation and awe. Ah Ming continued, "The key to cultivating concentration lies in awareness and control of the inner self. First, we need to find a quiet place, sit quietly, relax our entire body, and gradually allow our body and mind to enter a state of tranquility. Just as I did when I was battling my inner demons, focus your attention on your breathing. Breathing is the foundation of our life and the bridge that connects our body and mind. When we focus on our breathing, we can gradually eliminate external distractions and delve deeper into our inner world."

A young practitioner couldn't help but ask, "Master, when I focus on my breathing, distracting thoughts keep flooding in and are hard to control. What should I do?" Ah Ming smiled and patiently explained, "This is inevitable in the early stages of cultivation. When distracting thoughts arise, don't panic, and don't try to suppress them. Distracting thoughts are like naughty children: the more you try to suppress them, the more they rebel. We simply need to calmly acknowledge their presence and gently bring our attention back to our breathing. It's like watching the water flow by the river. Distracting thoughts are like fallen leaves floating on the surface; we simply watch them drift by without being distracted by them. Practice this over and over again, and over time, our concentration will gradually improve, and our distracting thoughts will become fewer and fewer."

Amin went on to elaborate on the key points of concentration training: "While focusing on our breathing, we also need to learn to observe our inner emotions and thoughts. When emotions like anger and greed arise, we should calmly examine their roots and nature like an observer. We must understand that these emotions are not our true selves, but rather illusions caused by inner demons. Through this kind of observation, we can gradually break free from the control of our emotions and restore inner peace."

To help fellow practitioners better cultivate concentration, A-Ming organized a series of diverse activities. Among them, the meditation competition became one of the most anticipated events. In the temple courtyard, practitioners sat neatly on cushions, a silent competition unfolding. Following A-Ming's instructions, they focused on their breathing, striving to eliminate distracting thoughts and achieve a deeper state of concentration through meditation. A-Ming quietly observed the practitioners, sensing their effort and focus from their expressions and auras. Some practitioners frowned, as if engaged in a fierce struggle against distracting thoughts; others, with a serene expression, immersed in a deep awareness of their breathing.

In addition to the meditation competition, Ah Ming also designed a concentration training activity. He placed various items, such as flowers, Buddha statues, and scriptures, in an empty room at the temple. Initiates entered the room one by one and, within a specified timeframe, focused their attention on the details of a particular object as closely as possible. Then, they closed their eyes and visualized the object in their minds. This seemingly simple activity tested the initiates' concentration and focus. During the training, the initiates shared their experiences, encouraged each other, and worked together for progress.

As these concentration-building activities continued, the spiritual atmosphere at the temple grew stronger. Under Amin's meticulous guidance, the practitioners' ability to cope with their inner demons gradually strengthened. In their daily practice, they were able to face various temptations and distractions with greater composure. Their inner concentration, like a solid fortress, protected their spiritual aspirations. Watching the practitioners' growth and progress, Amin felt a surge of joy and satisfaction. He knew that concentration was an indispensable and powerful weapon for every practitioner on the long journey of spiritual practice. Only with unwavering concentration could one remain steadfast in the face of countless attacks from inner demons, striving to reach the higher realms of spiritual realization outlined in the Yogacarabhumi Sutra. This continuous process of growth and breakthrough allowed the state, practice, and fruit of spiritual practice to flourish with ever greater brilliance.