..續本文上一頁 came. Earth returns to earth, water to water, wind to wind. Penetrate down into any of four elements — earth, water, wind, or fire — because each gives clear evidence of the Noble Truths.

　　We don”t have to think that we”ve examined earth clearly, but this element or that element isn”t clear. We needn”t think that way at all. If we examine any one of them until it”s clear, we will penetrate them all, because earth, water, wind, and fire are all already open and aboveboard. They appear to our sight. In our body, we already have water. Wind — for example, the in-and-out breath — is already clearly there, already clear to see. Fire — the warmth in the body — is something we all have here in our bodies. So why don”t we accept its truth with right discernment

　　 Once we”ve investigated it over and over again, we have to accept it. We can”t resist the truth, because that”s why we”re here: We want the truth.

　　So keep investigating. Look for the part that”s ”you” or ”yours.” Look for it! There isn”t any — not a one! The whole thing originally belongs to them: to earth, water, wind, and fire. It originally belongs to the different elements.

　　Now, when you look in this manner, the mind can settle down and grow still. At the same time, these aren”t preoccupations that will make the mind proud, conceited, or unruly. Rather, they are themes that calm the heart, which is why the Buddha taught us to investigate them repeatedly until we understand and become adept at them.

　　When the mind sees clearly with its own discernment, it can”t help but withdraw into stillness, firmly centered within, letting go of all its cares. This is one level in the investigation of the khandhas.

　　Now for the next step: Investigate feelings of pain, especially when you are ill or have been sitting in meditation for a long time, and severe pain arises. Take it on, right there. A warrior has to fight when the enemy appears. If there”s no enemy, how can you call him a warrior

　　 And what”s the enemy

　　 Feelings of pain, the enemy of the heart. When you”re ill, where does it hurt

　　 There: You have your enemy. If you”re a warrior, how can you run away and hide

　　 You have to fight until you gain knowledge and then use that knowledge to come out victorious.

　　So. What does the pain come from

　　 From the time we were born until we first sat in meditation, it wasn”t there. Before we first became ill, it didn”t appear. It appears only now that we”re ill. Before that, where was it hiding

　　 If it”s really ”us,” our mind should have been aware of it at all times, so why hasn”t this kind of pain appeared at all times

　　 Why is it appearing now

　　 If the pain is ”us,” then when it vanishes why doesn”t the mind vanish with it

　　 If they”re really one and the same thing, they have to vanish together. The pain should appear as long as the mind is aware. If they”re one and the same thing, the pain shouldn”t vanish. You have to look and investigate until this is clear. At the same time, analyze the body when the pain arises — when, for example, your legs ache or when this or that bone hurts. Fix your attention on the bone if the bone is really hurting.

　　Is the bone the pain

　　 Ask yourself! And whatever you”re asking about, focus your attention right there. Don”t ask in the abstract or absentmindedly. Ask in a way that focuses the mind right down to see the truth. Focus steadily right on the pain. Stare the mind right down on whichever bone you identify with the pain. Look carefully to see, ”Is this bone the pain

　　” Fix your attention there. Really observe with your own discernment. If this bone is really the pain, then when the pain vanishes, why doesn”t the bone vanish with it

　　 If they really are one and the same thing, then when the pain vanishes, the bone should vanish too. It shouldn”t remain.

　　But look…

《Straight from the Heart - The Radiant Mind Is Unawareness》全文未完，請進入下頁繼續閱讀…