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Truc Lam Great Master No. 18
The sixth section of “Living in the World, Enjoying the Way” emphasizes non-attached mind—letting go of grasping in order to live peacefully right in the midst of daily life. The four-line gatha “Living in the world, enjoying the Way, letting things go according to conditions” teaches us to adapt to dependent arising, without demanding or feeling dissatisfied. The phrase “when hungry, eat; when tired, sleep” encourages us to practice meditation in every basic need: when hungry, just eat; when tired, just sleep. All of this must be done with mindfulness so that each present moment becomes complete. Through sitting meditation, walking meditation, or daily activities such as sweeping the floor or cooking rice, we nourish happiness without waiting for the future, because happiness is the way.
Practice three key steps to attain gentle and profound liberation:
- non-attached mind – not caught, not preferring or rejecting, living simply and freely
- stopping the three karmas (body, speech, mind) – calming down so that body and mind are in harmony
- one-pointedness – dwelling fully in the breath and the present moment
Thanks to insight and concentration, whether eating, sitting, walking, or conversing, we still maintain the noble quality of meditation, making no distinction between means and ends because means and end are one. Then each moment becomes a moment of awakening, happiness, and freedom.
