Mindful Clarity and Seeing Nature

From September 3rd -12th, 2018, Ling Jiou Mountain holds a Fall Term monastic retreat that lasts for ten days. This offers an opportunity for attendees to bring back their mindfulness through Chan practice. Seeing our nature with mindfulness – “seeing” means clarity whereas “nature” is emptiness. This is also called the “luminous nature of mind or awareness”.

Monastic members can be too occupied with assignments at times. When a situation takes place, we may not have a good handle on our mind but to let it react along with emotions. Without sitting meditation and seeing our nature, it is very difficult to resolve the five poisons (greed, aversion, ignorance, doubt, and pride). Therefore, we should abide in an immovable state, which is “emptiness”.

The basis of emptiness is clarity, a clear and insightful ground. The mind is “clarity” whereas the nature is “emptiness”. Vice versa, clarity abides within emptiness. Be familiar with abiding in the state of emptiness so we don’t get jumpy with ever-transient ignorance and afflictions.

As you have taken on a monastic path, I have great expectations for your practice. By making this choice, all of you have made a great aspiration, namely “bodhicitta”. To nurture and strengthen bodhicitta, we need to apply “mindful clarity and seeing nature”. Through the constant practice of Chan, our insight deepens. Eventually, our nature will come to light. No more rising of afflictions but meritorious virtues.

Ten-day is fairly short; do not waste your time. Keep contemplating on your nature. Seeing your nature with the mind; illuminating your mind with nature. There is only one goal with Chan practice, to rediscover the “original face”. Cultivate and exert with this regard, it’d be such regret otherwise. Bring forth your strength and familiarize the practice of “seeing the nature”.