The Antidote for Heartache
by Master Lee Feng San Shifu
Translated by Sophia Lui
Edited by Ric Meyers
Generally, most people enjoy good health, but once they fall ill or are diagnosed with a serious illness, most find it difficult to accept. So, while receiving treatment on the one hand, they look for many solutions on the other.
Once, there was a sister student who, after a month of pinhshuai practice to help alleviate her suffering, still felt very down. “I have been practicing diligently,” she said. “But when I open my eyes first thing in the morning, all I can think of is my practice for the day, and the number of times I am going to do it. It seems the only thing left in my life is practice, and I feel trapped by it. Is that how I am going to spend the rest of my life? When will I get well? I find this really difficult.”
I said to her, “Where does our difficulty come from? Our difficulty actually resides in our minds. It comes from giving ourselves limitations. Outer circumstances do not keep us trapped, but the limitations of our minds do. When we try to resolve a problem, and deliberately look outside ourselves for a solution, we generally do not find one. This is because we are trapped within our own minds and are unable to see the answer. However, if we quiet down for a moment and identify the source of our confusion, then we are like a doctor who has to find out what is wrong with the patient first before administering the proper treatment. Therefore, once we clear up the confusion, we can find the antidote for our heartache.”
But what about the “difficulty?” Where does the “difficulty” lie? The difficulty lies in “separateness” — in how we think in our own separate ways, as well as in the difference between one person and the other. A lot of things are not difficult in themselves. Difficulties arise because of human nature — our different characters and ways of thinking.
So let us open up our hearts! Only then can we resolve our difficulties.
The Chinese character for “resolve” has deep connotations. To “resolve,” one must “decide.” How should we then “decide?” To decide, one must first be “steadfast.”
As mentioned earlier, we should not decide on outer matters, but to decide what is hiding within our hearts. If we open up our hearts and clear up the confusion, then a steadfastness will arise from within. We will then have the resoluteness to decide on things. We should always look within ourselves and not without.
When we encounter difficulties and are unable to decide, we might try a bunch of different strategies, but then can only count on our luck. If we are lucky, we may find a strategy that works, but if not, we keep on searching — with seemingly no end to it. Therefore, if we decide to take up the practice, to train ourselves, it is best to stop asking, “When am I going to get better?” Seek to open up our hearts rather than look for quick answers.
Through regular and disciplined practice, we quiet and declutter our own minds. In that way, we are left with no trace of doubt nor confusion, but only a simple faith and trust in our fellow beings.
Be still, and blessings will fill our hearts. Our minds will then be clear and will be able to decide and take positive, constructive, regenerative action.
