Entering the path of cultivation is about
– Actually starting on the light-filled journey of awakening
– How to take the first step
– Turning conceptual knowledge into action
– Applying teachings from Sutras into practice
– Entering our inner self through refined observation
– Saving boundless number of beings with our boundless vows
Cultivation needs a starting point. The traditional methods talk about starting from “hearing, thinking and practicing”.
“Hearing” is getting in contact with the teaching. “Thinking” is understanding it. quot;Practicing” is starting of real cultivation.
These are three clear steps. It seems that just by following these steps the goal should be surely at hand. In reality, countless number of people wanted to cultivate, but few ever start the real cultivation.
Where is the problem? The problem is everywhere. It can occur in any of those three steps. It is not that the steps themselves are problematic, but we are the problem.
The first problem: we do not even know how to listen; or do not know how to listen clearly; or can not comprehend what we hear; or while listening we are thinking about other things; or our brain is tired; or we only hear what we want to hear; or we paid attention and heard it clearly, but it does not conform to our framework.
The second problem: at the moment when we understand it, we may feel that our thinking is reasonable, but the next moment right away we may feel foolish about ourselves. Or another example: On the first day we are very acceptant, but the next day we turn around and reject everything.
The third problem: when we start the actual cultivation we become skeptical. “If such noble cultivation is so simple then everyone can be enlightened… Then that doesn’t sound right….” On the one hand we think this path is impossible, on the other hand we think, “Maybe I can give it a try?”
The above is only a quick analysis. One thing that surely will happen when starting the real cultivation is our self-contradiction. Self-contradiction is the hallmark characteristic of our thinking mind. Therefore when the thinking mind is still there we cannot practice the real cultivation. Going beyond language and concepts is not the end of cultivation but the starting point. Anything before that is preparation.
Coming back to the issue of “hearing”. It is not about studying sutras but how to listen. Most people are full of predispositions even though they do not know anything. We often see people who haven’t actually read any sutra but are garrulous when it comes to cultivation experiences. When we are like this how can we ever hear? When our mind is full, how can anything new come in? We are unable to be open. So even when we listen we don’t hear anything.
For the issue of “thinking”, no matter how we think we are confined to the realm of our brain. Therefore it is more appropriate to have observation than thinking. But since we cannot hear when we listen, then how can we understand? And how do we observe? We would not even know how to start. We may assume that we are doing it right when actually it’s wrong, or feeling that something is wrong while everything is actually right. Our feelings and thinking can never give us the correct answer.
Our biggest problem is this thinking mind, with its chaos, contradictions and endless wrangling within. Therefore the foremost task is to overcome the thinking mind (refer to Conquering the Mind).
If we are not cultivation scholar but practitioners, then our foremost task is to overcome the thinking mind.
How do we overcome the thinking mind? There is no technique to do it. All the techniques and theories are mind oriented; they all support and nourish the thinking mind and make it stronger.
Obeying the thinking mind and fighting against it are really the same thing, because both are supporting the mind. We can overcome it when we don’t try to overcome it. Even as the thinking mind leads us stray into the past or future, don’t fight it in the present. Let it work in its own way. Just observe it, enjoy it. Gradually the thinking mind can be overcome.
But if we want to expedite the process of conquering the mind, the best method is walking. Carry with us our understanding and a relaxed mind, be aware of every step. Focus the attention on each movement and feeling but not our thoughts. Our process of overcoming the thinking mind will then speed up a lot. And you will be amazed that you can hear more, see more and understand more. And better yet, now you can actually start your cultivation.
It is easy to enter this way. It should be noted that this easiness could also bring in danger, sometimes serious ones. However, with awareness and guidance from a good teacher, this path will be full of light and joy.