No 92 of Living Life Series 1
Some 42 years have gone by since the first descent of Lord Bo Tien. His representatives have repeatedly taught us to take stock of what goes on in our mind.
We are what we think. This is what we should know. They taught us to go further than that. Let not the thoughts in our mind get the better of us and lead us astray. It is better for us to rein in our thoughts and be the master of our thoughts.
Thoughts flow through our mind stream ad-infinitum even while we sleep. Thoughts may be bad or good. They may be positive or negative. Thoughts can make us more selfish. Pride and self-centredness can generate more negative thoughts. Even so-called positive or good thoughts may be based on pride and self-ego, both of which are negative. We tend to think and act good to satisfy our ego.
Let us be aware and reflective of our thoughts. Let us distance our inner self from the thoughts in us. Remember to feel no jubilance for the positive. Be unperturbed by the negative. Like an on-looker, analyse our thoughts for what they are. Be mindful of the repercussions of what we think. Let the inner self be neutral. Do not be self-centred. Let there be the self without selfishness. Let there be the ‘me’ in us without the ‘I’ thoughts.
Like the Heavenly Saint Lord Bo Tien depicted by His image at the temple altar, we should step on the positive and negative (thoughts). In this way we can be the masters of our thoughts. Our mind will then be at peace, like the sages of ancient wisdom.
Let there be moment to moment awareness of our thoughts. Let us not be swayed by the thoughts, be they positive or negative. Practise detachment (from our thoughts), but not self-denial or escapism (from our thoughts). Ensure no self-centredness but do not deny the self.
He who can cultivate this experiences mental energy that is uniquely pure and calm. His mind is at peace, like the clear still pool untainted by the mud and unruffled by the wind or breeze. He walks through life and death with ease.
Praise be unto the Lord Saint for expounding to us the Way of Ancient Wisdom. Praise be unto the religions of the world for meeting the spiritual needs of all beings.
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The Living Life Series is dedicated to Lord Bo Tien (武天菩萨). The doctrine is in His image. The image is the doctrine. He who sees, understands and effects the doctrine sees and knows Him. He who does not see, know and effect the doctrine sees not and knows not the saint even if the saint or His image is beside him. The far may be near and the near may be far. Let the doctrine and the saint be part of our life. The lord saint in your life can be any heavenly saint of any religion, sect or school. The doctrine of truth is behind all and this is the Inner Truth that leads all (regardless of their religious affiliation or even if none) to inner peace and heaven on earth here and now and not just in the after life. The ideal worship and devotion is to know and effect the doctrine of God and the saints. The best gospel is the gospel of life. We learn from our life and the lives of others. The true temple is the world we live in. The sky is the roof of the temple and religions and sects are the pillars of the temple. All under Heaven are in the temple. Needless to say that all the saints we know are in this temple. Ji Gong Posat too is no exception. The whole wide world and web is the temple and must be regarded as a sacred place --- a temple for living and learning. It is more important that everyone that counts plays a role in this universal temple if due focus is to be given to the Mission of Heaven. Men must not be distracted by the agenda of men and end up serving the mission of man. That would be a far cry from the Mission of Heaven. We worship God and saints, not man however good that man may be. There should be no hero worshiping or idolizing of man whether he is a charismatic pastor, priest, monk, medium or lay leader. We don't even idol worship the image of any saint but reflect on what the image stands for. - the doctrine in the image. Omitofo 阿弥陀佛!.
