Without Desire

Alright, let's set aside those other topics for now; knowing is enough.

Returning to the main subject, cultivation, if we simplify it, it's about modifying one's actions, both conscious and habitual.

What we call conscious actions are the habits of one's consciousness. Simply put, it means fully grasping the patterns of your own mind and being able to observe and change them at will, to achieve inner peace and freedom.

Habits are also known as karmic habits, referring to all the good and bad habits a person has.

So, what is good? For example, sleeping early and waking early. What is bad? Being addicted to gambling, or drinking excessively.

It's not that people who smoke or drink are bad, but rather that excess can have negative effects, impacting bodily functions, accelerating decay and aging, or even leading to death.

Cultivating consciousness requires gaining insights from various experiences, summarizing one's own mental patterns, and progressing from observing consciousness changes to complete control, which requires deliberate practice.

The same applies to behavioral habits.

This brings us to the topic of abstaining from lust. In reality, true abstinence from lust doesn't mean refraining from sexual activity; otherwise, humanity would go extinct, and there would be no continuation of the Dao.

Abstinence, in this context, doesn't require much explanation. It can be simply understood as guarding against, being wary of, and changing something.

The meaning of "lust" actually refers to form/appearance, which is to say, desire. Desire in thought.

Because people first have desires, they become infatuated with things. Over time, this leads to karmic habits, or simply, habits.

To break free from these things, the problem must be solved at its root, which is within the heart.

For example, if you've smoked for ten years, when you first encountered cigarettes, it was out of curiosity or for fun. But over time, you developed a habit, which then became an instinct. You instinctively want to smoke, especially when you're happy, sad, bored, or experiencing other emotions, and you passively reach for a cigarette.

Quitting isn't difficult. You just need to be able to notice the thought or impulse to smoke and change that thought immediately, or shift your focus to something else. You'll then unconsciously forget about it. Repeat this process.

In your daily life, consciously instill in yourself the dangers of smoking, and when you do smoke, actively feel the discomfort in your throat and the bitterness in your mouth.

After persisting for a period, you will gain the ability to control yourself and quit.

It's the same for quitting gambling or excessive drinking. When you feel like drinking, you can replace that thought with wanting to eat an apple or a banana. If you persist, it will become a desire for fruit.

When the mind changes, habits follow the mind. This is how one can achieve self-control and have circumstances change according to one's will.

When you can change your own thoughts, you gain the ability to change your destiny.

It is said that the mind can change thoughts, thoughts can change destiny, destiny can change luck, luck can change vital energy, vital energy can change form, form can change appearance.

Through this method, you can transform your destiny, improve your luck, alter your appearance, and so on; anything can change accordingly.

Isn't this mystical and wondrous? When you can't achieve it, it feels like a dream. Only when you achieve it can you truly experience the benefits of cultivation.

Cultivation always requires calming the mind. "Calming the mind" doesn't mean having no thoughts or nothing in your heart; rather, it means not being scattered or chaotic, which is considered stillness.

To anchor your mind in one place, so it doesn't wander. This is what is meant by stability, concentration, and stillness.

This stillness is the stillness of peace. If your mind can be peaceful at all times, you will gain unimaginable power.

There's a saying: "Mount Tai collapses before you, yet your expression remains unchanged." This describes someone who can face any situation with inner peace.

This power can grant one great wisdom. This is what is meant by stillness giving rise to wisdom, wisdom giving rise to concentration, and concentration giving rise to intelligence. Essentially, it means your mind is not pulled by external things, not influenced by external matters. By continuously viewing yourself and others from a detached perspective, you can see the root of matters and the entirety of a situation, thus finding the best way to resolve all problems.

For example, when you get into an argument with someone, you habitually think negatively and habitually argue. But when you can see what your thoughts are, and are not controlled by them, you can clearly see the essence of the matter and the solution, thereby achieving your ultimate goal. This is the power of a calm mind.

"Mind changes circumstances" means noticing your thoughts immediately and replacing them. For instance, Buddhism speaks of seeing all beings as Buddhas, and Daoism speaks of seeing all beings as teachers. These are all ways to help you transform your state of mind.

Imagine, if you truly saw all beings as Buddhas, would you argue with a Buddha? No, right?

If you saw all beings as teachers, would you argue or get entangled with your own master? No, right?

So, these are all mind techniques, methods used internally.

By using these methods to help transform your state of mind, because your perceptions change with your thoughts, what you see and understand will also change.

Being able to see the good in the bad is a remarkable feat.

However, as mentioned in the previous article, this approach requires discernment in specific situations.

Use the appropriate method at the appropriate time to change the appropriate thought, depending on the specific circumstances.

If you are tricked into a pyramid scheme or scammed, you don't need to apply this method. But you can use this wisdom to escape.

This isn't fixed in cultivation either; changing circumstances also depends on the environment and the situation encountered.

If you encounter a bad person and still treat them like a Bodhisattva, you will be harmed. Therefore, you must clearly distinguish between Buddha and demon.

In everyday life, you can mostly treat others as Buddhas, but because human thought patterns are not fixed, the manifestation of Buddha or demon states in individuals is uncertain.

When a person's thoughts are good and they do good deeds, they appear as Buddhas. When their thoughts turn evil and they do evil deeds, they manifest as demons.

This is related to the mind, not appearance.

"Appearance" refers not only to a person's looks but also to their aura from the inside out.

Some Bodhisattvas manifest fierce forms to facilitate the subjugation of demons.

Some demons manifest solemn and compassionate appearances to easily deceive people.

This distinction must be made by observing a person's speech, actions, and details. Those who cultivate to a high level can discern people's hearts through their eyes or aura.

External appearance cannot determine a person's or a being's inner soul.

Sometimes, outwardly appearing compassionate, a demon may reside within. Sometimes, outwardly fierce, a Bodhisattva may reside within.

Do not look with the physical eye; use a calm and selfless inner self, that is, the wisdom eye, to easily perceive this.

The greatest power to protect yourself is to not harbor evil thoughts, which is encapsulated in the three words "without desire/motive."

When encountering anyone, any situation, as long as your heart is without desire/motive, you can avoid all harm.

Because there is no desire/motive, there is no worry. This is the fundamental reason for inner peace.