Wake Up and Laugh!

It’s hard to know how to discover our fundamental nature, and hard to function through it, because we’ve also been giving equal (or more) weight to the things we can see and label. This is natural, and not something to get upset about. But, once you become aware of this issue, start by relaxing the urge to grasp onto things. Let go of everything, and entrust it all to your true nature. Then, when things begin to settle down, your true nature can come to the surface. Now your practice can really begin!

My one mind is the Bodhisattva of Compassion,
so I return to my one mind and rely upon it.

Virtue and merit, upright behavior, and actions in harmony with the Dharma
are all done through mind.
I vow to attain these without delay.

My one mind is the Bodhisattva of Compassion,
so I return to my one mind and rely upon it.

“Living” “Dying”
Such things are not my true essence.
Thus I will achieve one mind,
which transcends all distinctions
such as realms of the living
and realms of the dead.

These versus have a strange power to change us. Just by reciting them sincerely, it seems like there are parts of us that hear them, parts that have no ears or eyes.

My one mind is the Bodhisattva of Compassion,
so I return to my one mind and rely upon it.

If I entrust everything I’m searching for to my one mind,
I will realize that the path I seek
is in everything around me,
and that inherently “I” does not exist,
so there is no need to obtain something else.
I will find the one who says
there is no need to obtain something else.

My one mind is the Bodhisattva of Compassion,
so I return to my one mind and rely upon it.

If I entrust all of the great vows I have made to my one mind,
I will surely become a Buddha.

These verses are from part of the noon service we chant every day. Daehaeng Kun Sunim translated this text from the Chinese character to modern Korean, but also did it according to the underlying meaning. The result is an incredible manual for spiritual practice.

My one mind is the Bodhisattva of Compassion,
so I return to my one mind and rely upon it.

If I believe and follow only my one mind,
I can become one with continuously arising unenlightened beings,
and in so doing, save them all.

How’s everyone been doing? Good, I hope. Please take care of yourself during these strange times.

My one mind is the Bodhisattva of Compassion,
so I return to my one mind and rely upon it.
If I believe and believe,
and follow my one mind,
wisdom will burst forth
and the path to freedom will become clear.

My one mind is the Bodhisattva of Compassion,
so I return to my one mind and rely upon it.
Believe and believe in this one mind,
give rise to firm intention,
and everything will be accomplished.

Again, just a reminder, try to recite these 3 times once or twice a day. I really like reciting them right after I wake up and right before I go to bed. Either time can really set a nice tone for the rest of the day or night.

Knowing that the wisdom
and enlightenment of all Buddhas
is my one mind,
I fully trust my one mind
and follow its compassionate guidance.

Believing in my one mind
and following its profound truth,
I will become free from all attachments
and able to use the infinite ability within me.

Inherently there is no path to find,
nor obstacles to overcome.
One mind is the foundation,
so just as it is,
it is truth and fully present throughout my life.

I’m keeping these short, in part because daily posts become a burden if they’re too long, but also because, just these single verses have so much good energy, healing, and guidance for us. Just repeating this verse and letting it sink down within me, somehow I feel lighter.

The foundation of the universe is my one mind.
It manifests every instant
illuminating the path for all beings,
both those with life and without.