A Mind That Examines the Ground of Thought
Today, based on the words of Master Seosan, the monk spoke about the practice of examining the state of the mind. One thought arises, disappears, and at times a blank, hazy state comes with no particular thought. We easily follow these movements of the mind while dividing them into happiness or unhappiness, good or bad.
But the monk pointed out that thoughts arising, thoughts not arising, and remaining in a hazy state are all workings of the mind. When we are pulled along by those workings, we continue to waver within karma and delusion. So what matters is not grasping any particular state, but examining that state well and noticing it.
A thought arising is not necessarily bad, and having no thoughts is not immediately awakening. Even when joy arises, when anxiety arises, or when haziness comes, we need the strength to look at it without holding it as 'me.'
As Master Seosan said, such events are not originally present in the original nature. If we do not realize the ground of the mind, every working continues like delusion; but when we examine the ground, we can see thoughts and emotions as phenomena that briefly arise and disappear.
Today, quietly observe what is arising in the mind. Do not cling to happiness, do not push away anxiety, and do not sink into haziness. Shining awareness on the ground of the mind is today's practice.
One thought arises and disappears, and at times a hazy mind arrives. Do not be pulled along by any of these states; examine them well and notice them. More important than the thought is the original ground of the mind that shines on it.
