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Manifestation Only 17
Contemplating the interdependent nature (arising based on other conditions) is the key to transform delusion into insight. Manifestation Only teachings propose three natures: the imagined nature (created by the mind, erroneous), the interdependent nature (dependent co-arising), and the fulfilled nature (true nature, Nirvana). Using the two keys of impermanence and nonself to look deeply into things helps us touch reality, giving rise to great compassion and forgiveness, like the spirit in the poem “Recommendation.” Enlightenment and delusion, flowers and garbage inter-are; one cannot abandon samsāra to seek Nirvana or run away from birth and death, but must find the deathless right in the midst of birth and death.
The practice of contemplation requires the energy of mindfulness, found in the Five Powers: the power of faith, the power of diligence, the power of mindfulness, the power of concentration, and the power of insight. Relying on mindful breathing to water the seeds of awakening in store consciousness helps the flower of Right View bloom in the realm of mind consciousness. The path of eight right practices (Noble Eightfold Path) includes: Right View, Right Thinking, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Diligence, Right Livelihood, Right Concentration, and Right Mindfulness.
Like sunshine shining upon and nourishing vegetation, mindfulness, when lit up, has the capacity to transform every mental formation without the need to suppress or chase them away. There are three methods to deal with seeds of suffering: sowing and watering seeds of happiness, recognizing when seeds of suffering manifest, and actively inviting them up for dialogue when the power of mindfulness is steady. The five contemplations to transform fear include: I am of the nature to grow old, I am of the nature to get sick, I am of the nature to die, I must be separated from everyone and everything I cherish, and only my karma goes with me.