Self-discovery involves understanding ourselves, others, and the world around us

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Yicheng · Oct 23, 2024
In today’s world, where information is overwhelming, it’s easy to feel lost and confused. We’re all trying to find our way, looking to understand ourselves, others, and the world around us. But this process isn’t something that happens overnight. Instead, it takes a lot of time and reflection. In this column, we will share conversations […]

In today’s world, where information is overwhelming, it’s easy to feel lost and confused. We’re all trying to find our way, looking to understand ourselves, others, and the world around us. But this process isn’t something that happens overnight. Instead, it takes a lot of time and reflection. In this column, we will share conversations and personal stories that highlight the unique experiences of different people, helping us all to better grasp what it means to be human and to navigate our own journeys of self-discovery.

Understanding Oneself: A Journey from Within

Understanding oneselves is an ongoing journey. It goes beyond simply recognizing one’s interests, hobbies, and strengths, but involves delving into motivations, emotions, and values. We often lose sight of who we truly are due to societal expectations, the opinions of others, or external influences. To remain authentic in such a world, it is necessary to listen to our inner voice and confront our flaws and vulnerabilities.

As we navigate our identities, we find that our perceptions and expectations evolve at different stages of life. In our teenage years, we often seek acceptance and a sense of belonging. As adults, we shift our focus toward personal growth and achievements. By the time we reach old age, understanding the meaning of life takes center stage. Reflecting on our experiences at various stages helps us gain clarity about ourselves, comprehend the reasons behind our choices, and uncover the true motivations driving those decisions.

Understanding Others: the Power of Empathy and Compassion

In our interactions with others, learning to see things from their perspective and understanding their emotions and viewpoints is crucial. Understanding others goes beyond just knowing their background and experiences. It involves empathizing with people and connecting to their feelings as well as experiences from a deeper perspective.

By sharing the stories of various individuals, we aim to break down stereotypes and showcase diverse life experiences.Whether it is about ordinary people or celebrities, everyone’s journey is filled with challenges and stories of growth.By learning from others’ journeys and reflecting on our own, we become more capable of respecting and embracing different lifestyles and viewpoints.

Understand the World: Expanding Our Horizons and Embracing Cross-Cultural Understanding

The world is vast and diverse, with each person experiencing it from a unique perspective. To truly understand the world, we need to continually broaden our horizons and engage with people from different cultures, societies, and backgrounds. It’s only by viewing things through multiple lenses that we can grasp the complexity of the world and find our footing in an ever-changing landscape.

We should strive to understand not just the customs and traditions of various countries, but also the significant events and trends that shape global dynamics. By observing and reflecting on different cultures and social phenomena, we can uncover the threads of human civilization’s development, leading to a deeper understanding of our shared fate throughout history.

 

Celebrating Life’s Uniqueness: Finding Strength in Stories

In this section, we will showcase the unique aspects of each person’s life through engaging conversations and personal stories. Some tales may seem ordinary at first glance, but they often pack a powerful emotional punch; others might be filled with challenges, and it is those ups and downs that truly add depth to our experiences. Regardless of their backgrounds, these stories invite us to reflect on life’s diversity and our shared human emotions.

Each life is a distinct world, and together they weave the rich tapestry of our society.By sharing these varied stories, we aim to help readers find connections in their own journeys and foster a better understanding of others, ultimately empowering them to adapt and shape the world around them.

Conclusion

Understanding ourselves, others, and the world is an ongoing journey of self-exploration. Throughout this process, we continually refresh our perspectives on life, enrich our inner worlds, and deepen our sense of empathy for humanity and the vastness of the world. We hope this section inspires you and encourages everyone to keep moving forward on their life journey, seeking out their own unique value.

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修行之人:大觉者必然是大世者

Master Wonder · Apr 15, 2025

提要:短文一篇,适合信仰修行者。 “修行”二字,往往被误解为远离尘世、闭目清修,仿佛只有在山林古刹之中才有“道”的回音。然而,真正的修行,从来不是逃避世界,而是透过世界,识破世界,超越世界。而能大觉者,必先为大世者。 大世者,乃体验世界、悟解世界之人。 他不逃避苦难,不回避复杂,也不拒绝人情世故;他入世深广,心眼敞开,在生老病死、荣辱沉浮、情爱利害中亲历体验,不以一己喜恶躲避真实。 他愿意活过整个“人”的全部过程,穿越欲望、恐惧、迷惑、失落与狂喜。他深入五浊恶世,不为浊所染,而是在其中锻炼出一颗不动之心。 没有深入世界的人,无法真正觉知人生的虚妄与实相;没有体验人性的幽微与苦痛,亦难窥见“空性”的深远。 许多修行人误以为断绝尘缘即可得道,殊不知闭门清净之中易生幻觉——以为自己已远离烦恼,实则烦恼只是暂时未被触动。 唯有大世之人,才可能真切而深刻地通达众生苦乐、生命本质,从而升起大悲、大智、大愿。 释迦牟尼曾贵为太子,却不恋王宫富贵,而是踏入人世之苦,亲历病患、死亡、衰老之无常,由“观苦”而觉悟四谛,成就无上正觉。 他未尝舍世而成佛,乃由深观此世而得“出世”。 耶稣亦非天上之神祇,高高在上地俯视世人,而是以血肉之躯行于尘世,与罪人同行,与贫者共处,经历人间之背叛与十字架之苦,才化身为神圣之道。 大道从来不在庙堂深处,而在人间烟火中。 大觉者,必然是大世者。 因为只有真正见过黑暗,才知道光的方向;只有体验过深沉之痛,才会长出悲悯之心;只有彻底融入世界,才能彻底超越世界。 修行不是修一个“我”远离世界,而是修一个“我”能承载整个世界,并在承载之中,看破它的虚妄,识得它的真相。 故修行者不可浅尝即止,不可避世求安,而要有大心量、大气魄,敢于与世界同呼吸共苦乐。 不是为了沉迷世间,而是为了悟透世间;不是为满足我执,而是为了超越我执;不是为了成为某种“成功修行者”的形象,而是为了脱去一切形象,直面真实的生命流动。 一切成道之人,必是深度活过的人;一切大觉之人,必是大世之人。 他们不拒世界,也不依赖世界。 他们活得比谁都深、都真,然后从尘土中站起,以真实的觉知与清醒回望世界。 如莲花出于淤泥,芬芳不染;如慧灯照见世相,明心而不迷心。 一乘公益奉献此文。

被名声推倒的“大和尚”

Master Wonder · Apr 11, 2025

本文基于个人的见闻,适合修行者阅读。 佛门古刹丛林中,时常可见一些所谓“大和尚”被名声所推拥而上,居于高位。然细观其行,修证尚浅,功夫未成,不过因世人敬仰、名声骤起,遂为虚荣心所挟,过早披上高僧之袈裟。 未得而自谓得,未悟而强说悟,其道心已在不觉间迷失于浮誉之中。 一念沉迷,如飞蛾扑火,初心虽存,却渐为名利所蚀,不能自拔。 久而久之,修行寸步难进,实令人惋叹。 一、误入名利之网 佛门有言:“名闻利养,修行之大贼也。”虚名最易招惹贪著之心,亦最能令道行之人起傲慢、落魔境。如古德所警:“很多修行人到后来着魔,正因名气一大,利养一多,贪心与傲慢随之而起。”名声如蜜,初尝甘甜,久则生黏,使人沉醉其中,不能自省。 未有实证的僧人,若骤得礼拜供养,便易误以为道业已成;赞誉盈耳,贡高我慢随之而生。贪嗔痴慢暗中增长,清净之心地为之蒙蔽,魔障亦由此而起。 昔日精进之志,也在种种应酬中日渐耗散。表面光鲜,实则空转;身披法衣,心离正道。 此辈既被名推而倒,便非身倒,而是心倒;非形弱,而是志失。其修行之根,已摇摇欲坠。 更有甚者,若耽于伪饰德相,自视甚高,便不但自误,亦误导众生。佛制明戒:“未得谓得,未证言证,是大妄语。” 若因名而生妄,虽无明言,内心亦犯实失。 久而久之,正信崩塌,德行损耗,堕落之路已悄然成型。或如提婆达多,因贪权夺势而堕入深渊,遗祸千古;或虽不至覆灭,亦如折翼之鸟,再难高飞于菩提之境。 二、明心见性,破妄归真 究其根本,修行之要,在于内观自性,不随外境所转。佛陀早示:众生本具如来智慧德相,惟妄想执著所障,故不能显现。换言之,自性之光本自圆明,惟因名利之尘覆之,令其黯淡。 “大和尚”之“大”,不在法座高低,众口称颂,而在其是否真实照见本心,明心见性。 唯有返照内心,破除执著,见诸法如幻,方可照亮修行之路。 如佛经所言:“名闻如暗影,惟智光内照,则影随光灭。”若以智慧观照自心,识得世间声名如镜花水月,便可安然行于红尘之中而不为其所染。 “自性光芒,照亮修行”。此为真修之道。外名可夺人耳目,却夺不了本性光明;浮荣可动人心志,却遮不住自心本觉。唯有慧眼自照,于妄中见真,于扰中守静,方为菩提正道。 三、淡泊明志,道在不言中 佛门中不乏警世之范,如印光大师、虚云老和尚等近代高僧,一生淡泊自守,不为名累,不受利役。十方供养,尽归弘法利生,不存毫末私心。正因他们以戒为体,以智慧自照,故能八风不动,荣辱不惊,愈陷尘劳,愈显道光。 由此可见,修行之根在己不在他;得道之要在证不在声。 外界千万人的敬仰,无法代替一人内心的觉悟;名利再盛,亦掩不住未明之心。 惟有自性光芒源源不息,日日照耀其心,方能守得寂寂道心,于喧嚣中自有一方清凉净土。 结语:返本归真,不负道心 僧人修行,贵在如莲花出淤泥而不染,身处红尘而心在道中。 凡被名声推上高位者,尤当时时自省:若德不配位,福难久持;若妄心生起,必招迷途。 自性光芒,照亮修行。唯返本归真,方不负出家初心;不逐名利,方可守得清净本愿;不迷虚妄,始得破妄归真。 愿一切修行者皆能以惭愧为衣,以清净为食,以定慧为灯,安住如如之境,行于无碍之道。如此,则道心不坠,菩提日增,既不致为名所推而倒,亦能于无声处,守得一灯长明。

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