We are the continuation of the Buddha, not by an external energy bestowed upon us, but by touching and manifesting the seeds of mindfulness, love, and happiness that are already present within us. Each mindful step, each mindful breath, and each mindful meal are living proof of the transmission from the Buddha—the Teacher—to ourselves.

People are often caught in three main needs:

1. Health
2. Human relationships
3. Success
   We must contemplate deeply to see what are true needs and what are artificial needs, practicing few desires, knowing enough so that we are not bound, and thus have the time and energy to seek the ultimate concern.

That path of seeking begins with the gate of faith—reciting the name (aloud, in a whisper, or silently in the mind) and visualizing the image—but does not stop at appearances (form, sound). In the spirit of the Diamond Sutra, after relying on the waves of words and images to steady the mind, we must transcend all such forms to realize that the “Tathagata” is already present within our own heart.