This is an excerpt from a Dharma talk given by Daehaeng Kun Sunim on May 5, 1991, at the Anyang Hanmaum Seon Center. The talk is published in English in the book, “Sharing the Same Heart”(2017), and in a Korean-English edition, “Inherent Connections/진짜 통하게 되면”
Going forward, we all have to develop this practice of relying upon our fundamental mind to the extent that we can take care of whatever confronts us, including even problems of a global scale. We also need to share this practice with others and help them to develop their own inherent ability so that they can use it for themselves. This is something most serious and urgent.
I’m not sure if you’re aware of it, but this inherent nature of ours, which is also the fundamental nature of reality, functions without hindrance or limitation. Truly!
The essence of this is right before your very eyes. It’s in everything you do, and is fundamental to every aspect of your ordinary, daily life. This marrow, this Buddha essence is right there with you, so stop thinking it’s somewhere far away. This mysterious functioning is always right in front of us, and is so profound.
Sometimes, when I encounter a critical situation or someone in great need, a great determination arises within me – “No! Absolutely not!” Everything in this visible world begins in the unseen realms. Raising up a firm and absolute “No! Never!” is like driving a nail into the problem in the unseen realms, so that it can’t manifest. [Holding up a clenched fist.] I do this because I feel heartbroken when I see people suffering; it doesn’t matter who they are or what they believe. Raising this kind of firm intention takes the energy of the universe and nails the problem in place, so that it can’t move in a harmful direction.
If you are able to truly know how things work, then when you raise intentions in this way, you will naturally be fulfilling the role of a Buddha and manifesting the Dharma. Here, there are no words such as “sufficient” or “lacking,” “right” or “wrong,” “rich” or “poor,” “noble” or “lowly.” Words, labels, and theories have no place here.
To reach this point, you have to gather together all of your sincerity and keep gathering it into your foundation again and again, as if you were trying to squeeze blood from your own bones. When this ocean of sincerity has been gathered together into a single drop, well, words just can’t describe that. Something came up recently that left me so heartbroken that I’ve wanted to cry for the last three days; but from this ocean, a single harmonious thought arose like an iron pillar and became one with the whole. As that great energy began to burst forth, my eyes became bright and strong.
We are coming to a time when it will be desperately important that you all know how to work through the unseen realms. If practitioners can raise thoughts from their foundation and take care of things harmoniously and non-dualistically, then this world of ours will survive and truly flourish.
Of course, as you practice, you should be careful not to overstep your ability; otherwise, your efforts can end up causing all kinds of negative effects and chaotic situations. If a small bowl tries to hold too much, its contents will overflow and cause countless problems. Similarly, don’t try to force timetables onto your practice or attainment.
We need true practitioners who can go forward practicing through mind in this way, which is the true tradition of Seon, and who can help raise the future generations of practitioners that the world is going to need.
Wake Up and Laugh! 