The Delusional Series
Compiled according to the teachings of the Master
Author: Fafu
The Delusional Series: Part 16 –55 Detailed Study （lower）
The more deeply we understand our afflictions, the stronger our minds become. When we reach the pinnacle of this understanding, there is no need for exertion; we naturally let go of these afflictions. It is akin to seeing a pile of excrement on the street; we would never be interested in examining it, studying it, or, heaven forbid, consuming it. Even a dog would not partake. Why? Because we recognize it as something inedible. Once we recognize afflictions as harmful and repulsive, even the slightest inclination towards them becomes intolerable. At this stage, there is no need to forcibly subdue or avoid these afflictions; they simply cease to have any hold over us. This is a natural and effortless transition. We do not force ourselves to do something that is beyond our capabilities.
Let’s say you’re currently consumed by greed. You’re told to suppress it, and you try your best for three days. On the fourth day, you explode. You’re told to focus on the immediate consequences of your actions—how greed only brings suffering, affliction, and the destruction of good fortune. Even a momentary lapse in demeanor or expression can sever a positive connection. I’ve asked you to conduct research, to delve deep into these matters. Yet, you haven’t even begun. Take greed, for instance: have you meticulously explored its various types, its manifestations, and its subtle influences? How does it arise? How does it make itself known? Why does resisting it feel so painful, while succumbing to it seems so pleasurable? And how does each of the eight sufferings relate to the karmic causes of your present moment?
The moment you relax your vigilance, you create new karma, thereby intensifying your afflictions. The more you engage with these afflictions, the more they intensify, leading to a proliferation of the five aggregates. If you were to cease creating new karma, these afflictions would naturally diminish. However, if you indulge in them, they will only grow stronger, manifesting in various forms of torment and distress. Therefore, true cultivation lies in actively controlling oneself rather than passively following one’s desires. To chase after afflictions is to invite endless suffering, not only in the present moment but also in future lifetimes. We must therefore develop a keen awareness of how afflictions entice us into self-destructive patterns.
