..續本文上一頁lated into English.

　　As we see, a large degree of the future is in our hands. I say to a large degree because there are still some things that are very difficult to alter. But our current actions can definitely change what is yet to come.

　　The Key to a New Future

　　The Buddha once said, "If you want to know what you have done in your past (including past lives), just look at what has happened in this life. If you want to know what will happen to your future, just look at what is being done in this life." (欲知過去因，今生受者是。欲知未來果，今生作者是。) There is no need to go to a fortuneteller. All we need to do is to look at this life”s experiences. Has it been good

　　 Has it been bad

　　 Has it been mixed

　　 If it has been mostly good and happy, then that means that in the past you have done many good deeds. You made others happy, you created good karma between you and other people. If most of your life has been unhappy and unfortunate, then that means that we have not planted good seeds previously. We created a lot of bad karma. Just by understanding this Principle of Causality, you can tell about your own past. We do not need a fortuneteller or go to get hypnotized. The details, who you were, what you did, are not all that important. Why

　　 It is already in the past. What would be the point

　　 Take a deep look at this life and you will have a good general idea of the past.

　　As for our future, "If you want to know what will happen to your future, just look at what is being done in this life." This is the key. There is an important difference between "what has happened" and "what is being done." For example, if somebody treats you badly, that is a result of karma from the past. This is something that you are experiencing now, something that "has happened." How you react to this situation though is "what is being done" and this will determine the events in the future. Do you understand

　　 You cannot change what has already occurred. However, when you change your reactions, you change the future outcomes. If someone treats you badly that means that somewhere along the way, bad karma was created between the two of you. If you react to things in the same negative way and think, "He treated me badly, I will get him back, fair is fair," then you have created the same cycle over again. This is samsara. It like playing ping-pong, hitting back and forth. The same situation happens over and over again. A predictable pattern forms.

　　If we understand this, we should be determined to change our reactions. Instead we say, "He treats me badly, I will forgive and forget. I will be like the vast empty space and let go." Immediately the karma between the two of you changes for the better. Bad karma turns into good karma.

　　The future depends on what you have done, and what you do now. And what you do now comes from the mind and the thoughts that you have at this moment. That is why we need to meditate in order to become more mindful. Everything begins from the mind. Everything you do, everything you say. You need to be aware of the type of your thoughts that you are having. What are you thinking

　　 How do you react to things

　　 The change starts from there, the future changes from there.

　　Through awareness you can detect your thoughts, catch them before they turn into an action. It is like catching a thief before it commits a crime, and transforming the thief into a sage. Transform your thoughts into actions that will bring you happiness. Have thoughts of equality, of tolerance, of compassion. Then turn these thoughts into actions. Generosity and charity will bring you prosperity; giving comfort, solace and compassion will bring peace and blessings. Protecting life will give you good health and a long life. This is the Buddhist principle of causality. When you understand it, you take life into your control. Life then becomes very positive. You can always change things for the better, beginning at this very moment. Detect your thoughts, become aware. What are you thinking

　　 Exam them closely. Catch yourself and ask, "am I falling back to my old ways, the old habitual ways of reacting

　　 That is not being very mindful is it

　　" Become mindful, live a mindful life, that is cultivation.

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