Practice That Illuminates Even the Last Ignorance

The Awakening of Faith explains the movement of mind through the three subtle marks and the six coarse marks. The words are difficult, but in practice their meaning is clear. Speech, action, attachment, and discrimination are relatively coarse currents. First, we must notice and tame these visible movements.

It is said that by the seventh ground the coarse flow of affliction and discrimination is greatly extinguished. Yet this does not mean that perfect awakening is already complete. Even when surface waves become calm, a very subtle movement may remain deep within the water. The deepest habits of mind must be illuminated by a more refined wisdom.

The subtle activity of ignorance is not easy to see. The mind that thinks it knows, the mind that thinks it sees, and the mind that establishes and grasps an object can continue in a very fine way. Therefore, do not become proud just because coarse afflictions have decreased. Honestly observe the subtle shadow that still remains.

Diamond-like samadhi points to a state of unwavering concentration that breaks even the final ignorance. This is not a request to imagine a mystical scene. It can be received as a metaphor for deep wakefulness that does not grasp even the smallest attachment as self.

Today, do not decorate the mind by thinking only of a distant high stage. Look at the reactions that appear roughly within you now, and also examine the subtle judgment and clinging beneath them. When you calm the coarse waves and illuminate even the deep movement under the water, practice becomes one step deeper.

The path of awakening cannot be spoken of lightly as a simple beginning and end. Seeing one’s nature is a precious beginning, but steady wakefulness is needed until even the last shadow of ignorance disappears. Today, do not be careless just because the mind has become quiet. Even within quietness, observe the subtle clinging that may remain.