The Delusional Series
Compiled according to the teachings of the Master
Author: Fafu
The Delusional Series: Part 15 –52 The Perils of Delusional Awakening 2
If your thoughts could bring about success, you would have achieved it long ago. It is precisely because your thoughts are often illusory and deviate from reality that you fail to accomplish your goals. Consequently, your life is marked by a series of unfulfilled endeavors. Occasionally, when you follow sound advice, you may experience a brief moment of success, but this is often followed by a relapse into old habits.
The foundation of success lies in reality and truth, not in delusion. Cooking provides a useful analogy. When preparing a dish, a skilled chef begins by gathering all the necessary ingredients and ensuring that the cooking equipment is ready. Once the cooking process begins, the chef must carefully control the heat and add the ingredients at the precise moment. By following these steps meticulously, the chef is able to produce a dish that is identical to those prepared by other skilled chefs. The chef does not allow themselves to be distracted by thoughts such as, “Everyone is waiting, so I can cook this dish a minute faster.” If the chef were to reduce the cooking time, even by just one minute, the flavor of the dish would be compromised. Similarly, if the chef were to add too much salt, or omit certain ingredients, the final product would be inferior.
Any deviation from the recipe, no matter how small, can lead to a subpar result. This is because the chef’s success depends on their ability to adhere to the principles of cooking. If one were to introduce delusions or personal preferences into the cooking process, it would be impossible to produce a truly authentic dish.
It is crucial to recognize the insidious nature of these delusions, for they are the very forces that drive us to self-harm. Every thought, every feeling that arises from these delusions is meticulously designed to lead us down a path of self-destruction. Therefore, we must realize that these delusions are not merely adversaries but rather the root cause of our suffering. As long as these delusions persist, so too will our pain. If we desire peace and tranquility, we must eradicate these delusions from our minds.
Although many have yet to experience this for themselves, I urge you to try the following: act in direct opposition to your delusions. Initially, this may require considerable effort, but with persistent practice, these delusions will gradually dissipate. When you focus your mind solely on your goals, these delusions will lose their power over you.
Do not underestimate the destructive force of these delusions. If you allow them to dictate your actions, they will only grow stronger. However, if you resolutely resist them, you will discover that they are nothing more than fleeting shadows. Once you have overcome these delusions, you will find that you are no longer susceptible to their influence.
It is essential to remember that these delusions are not worthy of our attention. To allow them to dictate our emotions is a sign of great folly. Therefore, we must cultivate a mindfulness that enables us to recognize and overcome these delusions.
Dharma, or the teachings of the Buddha, is pure and unadulterated. It should not be mixed with worldly desires or delusions. When we purify our minds of these impurities, we will discover a profound and transformative power that we could never have imagined. This is the true essence of Dharma, for it has the capacity to completely alter our being in ways we could never have foreseen.
Delusion is like a fleeting thought that can quickly manifest into a tangible reality. When one becomes entangled in these delusions, one becomes lost and suffers endlessly. The more one clings to these delusions, the deeper one sinks into misery. However, if one can simply observe these delusions without engaging with them, the mind can attain a state of clarity and peace. Why would anyone choose suffering when happiness is readily available?
Therefore, it is essential to cultivate a mind that is free from delusions and impulsive desires. Instead, one should focus on the present moment and engage in meaningful activities. During moments of leisure, one can contemplate the nature of delusions, understanding how they arise, function, and lead to suffering. Through this process of introspection, one can develop a profound aversion to delusions, recognizing them for what they truly are: harmful and worthless. Just as one would avoid stepping in dog excrement on the street, one should avoid dwelling on negative thoughts.
