True Practitioners Dwell in the Inner World

Shi Ruyuan: I frequently experience this—whether walking, sitting, standing, brushing my teeth, washing my face, or reciting Buddha's name or mantras, I involuntarily want to close my eyes. Keeping my eyes open feels unbearably exhausting and strenuous; my body and mind cannot withstand it. When I close my eyes, I see a bright white passageway before me, completely unobstructed. Sometimes, when I get up and am busy walking around, opening my eyes causes me to lose my sense of direction. It feels as if I'm confined within a tiny space, blocked by illusory obstacles.

Commentary: This occurs due to the depth of meditative concentration. The mental faculty (manas) dwells within the inner world, unwilling to engage in discerning the objects of the six dusts (sensory fields). Therefore, when the six sense faculties contact the six dusts, the six consciousnesses feel fatigued. The mental faculty and the six consciousnesses adapt to stillness; they feel comfortable in silence, while opening the eyes to see forms becomes unfamiliar. When one possesses spiritual powers, closing the eyes does not hinder the perception of forms. After prolonged periods of sealing off the six consciousnesses, spiritual powers may arise, and opening the eyes might even obstruct the perception of forms. When the six consciousnesses do not rely on the six dusts, they feel tranquil and comfortable. Using the six consciousnesses to discern the six dusts feels cumbersome and troublesome—less is preferable to more, and nothing is best.

Worldly people, however, heavily depend on the six consciousnesses. If the six consciousnesses cease to discern the six dusts, they feel unbearably lonely, as if they cannot go on living. Practitioners of the Way are the complete opposite of worldly people. If the two coexist, it is like enemies sharing a room—neither finds peace. Therefore, some people who meet me are dissatisfied with my lifestyle habits. Even now, I have forcibly altered some habits to accommodate lay disciples. I have been somewhat guided back by my disciples, yet I still fail to satisfy others. It is best to minimize interaction with those who are not fellow practitioners of the Way.