Living in the Moment”? You Just Haven’t Found the Button to Turn Your Future Around!

What does "living in the moment" mean? Often when we contemplate of "Living in the moment," it reflects a desire to stop, cherish the present and not let the mind rush through millions of thoughts. This is a good desire, as, instead of a mind that's anxious and painstakingly preoccupied with material wants, this thought helps one follow one's heart, which not only provides joy and fulfilment, but also helps to redirect the course of life and clarify one's priorities.

So, when you find yourself particularly resonating with the phrase "live in the moment" recently, you should know that you actually need to rest; it means you want to slow down and bring more richness and depth to your life.

However, once your life regains its sense of fulfillment, a natural yearning to venture forth and create will stir within you, fostering the pursuit of meaningful goals. This inherent drive for self-realization is simply a reflection of life's vitality, a natural manifestation of the expansive nature of consciousness. Yet, when the pull towards creative endeavors becomes irresistible, the definition of “living in the moment” can no longer be letting go, drifting, or being idle. At this stage, “Living in the moment” requires a new, reimagined understanding.

Applying“The Present”as a keystroke for creation: an evolved perspective of “living in the moment"

The universe operates on the foundational principle of Tai Chi, an equilibrium of contrasting forces—Yin and Yang. Birth emerges from the ashes of death, and action springs from the cradle of rest. While these forces might seem oppositional, they are, in reality, perfectly complementary, driving the unending evolution of all phenomena. If one element were missing, life would descend into stagnation, akin to a motionless body of water. Therefore, the philosophy of “living in the present” inherently requires the embrace of these seemingly contrasting principles, thereby propelling one's life towards a more advanced phase of personal growth and evolution.

Utilizing Tai Chi as an analogy, the Yin facet of “living in the moment” resonates with principles regularly underscored in mindfulness literature: a gentle deceleration, nurturing gratitude, relishing moments, mastering the art of non-striving, and finding tranquillity in non-action. However, the present moment has another dimension, the Yang aspect: envision it as a “trigger” which, when activated, can carve out the path towards the goals you aspire to achieve.

Many people "experience the present" purely through its "Yin" side, overlooking the "Yang" aspect and, as a result, diminishing their capacity to purposefully advance in life. They settle into passivity, becoming ineffective in catalyzing meaningful change or progression. When faced with financial struggles, they may meander aimlessly, convincing themselves they're simply "going with the flow." If life doesn't follow their blueprint, they may find comfort in believing that "everything happens for a reason." When their goals seem too lofty, they may reassure themselves that they can manage with less. And when dealing with those who mean them harm, they may find it challenging to turn these adversaries into stepping stones, instead choosing to "accept what's occurred" and "forgive all."

Eckhart Tolle's "The Power of Now" can be interpreted through the lens of the Yin aspect, wherein one can utilize the practice of "presence" to cultivate a serene space for introspection, attune to the constant whispers of one's mother, and become aware of her true being. Although this is just a good start to resolving conflicts, it's not the ultimate resolution. Consider this scenario: after tolerating an hour of incessant urging to get married, despite your own silence for the same duration, your mother, noticing your non-resistance, says, "Remember to come home next Sunday. I've arranged a blind date for you. Is that acceptable?" What then? Surely, you must respond to this proposition; you cannot persist in a thoughtless state of "presence," can you?"

At the moment when you find yourself being set up on a blind date, what words or deeds can you use to break free from the pattern that has caused you and your mother so much pain, and chart a new course towards a more positive future? Is there a way to respond in the moment that can lead to a true understanding of each other's love, while also granting oneself a genuine sense of liberation from such a situation? Amidst the infinite possibilities of the present moment, there exists a single button embedded within the optimal context that instantaneously releases one from pre-existing patterns, and forges a new path towards the desired outcome. The act of identifying this button represents the masculine facet of "living in the moment," or rather, "living in the powerful present moment."

The Thousand-armed, Thousand-eyed Guanyin Bodhisattva, adorned with an array of dharma instruments2 in each of the thousand hands, embodies a commonly held belief that the bodhisattva possesses methods/ways/paths of Dharma, meticulously tailored to the diverse needs of sentient beings. While this interpretation holds some truth, a deeper revelation exposes that each of these instruments represents the bodhisattva's innate understanding of which "button to push" in each right moment to create the desired future outcome. Meanwhile, the bodhisattva's "thousand eyes" embody an innate acuity for comprehending the behaviors and backgrounds of sentient beings, akin to that of a skilled analyst of voluminous datasets.

In the context of Mahayana Buddhism, the ultimate version of this ability is known as the "playful samadhi," a state of being embodied by the Thousand-armed, Thousand-eyed Guanyin Bodhisattva wherein each present moment can be transformed into unlimited and creative opportunities. Those who embrace the Bodhisattva path have the capacity to attain Enlightenment, thereby unlocking their ability to manifest their own Pure Land. This state of Nirvana transcends the realm of experience achievable through the practice of the Hinayana path.

Acquiring the status of a bodhisattva requires the attainment of "playful samadhi" mastery. Even if one lacks such aspirations, upon introspection, isn't it true that many fears, sufferings, and constraints arise from the very own present moment? Whether it is a feeling of powerlessness or an inability to take proactive action, one often finds him/herself increasingly entangled as one strives to break free and liberate him/herself. Nevertheless, when one embarks upon this course of practice, it opens the path to self-improvement, without necessarily requiring mastery of the "playful samadhi." The result is a life of greater efficiency, altruism, and liberation, benefitting not only oneself, but also others in equal measure.

The gradual transition into a state of "present moment empowerment" involves a "process of transforming consciousness into wisdom." Those who aspire to walk this path are welcome to seek the guidance of Guru Zhang Cheng. Please be patient with yourselves. Following Guru Zhang's guidance, and by integrating the teachings and practices into daily life, you will discover the ability to create a more magnificent and fulfilling version of you in the future.

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Note

Thousand-armed, Thousand-eyed Guanyin / Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva

There are two main English translations for the term “千手千眼觀世音菩薩”: “Thousand-hand(ed/s), Thousand-eyed Guanyin /Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva,” or “Thousand-armed/ed, Thousand-eyed Guanyin / Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva.” In this article, we primarily use the latter version as it provides a more precise description using the word “hand” in English. When we mention the Thousand-armed/s, Thousand-eyed/s Guanyin Bodhisattva, the word “Hand” in Chinese actually refers to the arms. In the context of holding a tool or making a specific gesture, it refers to the palm of the hand beyond the wrist. The distinctions in the descriptions can be observed in articles from Western museums and references on Christie’s website. • The British Museum, Painting: Thousand-armed, thousand-eyed Avalokiteshvara • Christie’s, embroidered silk Thangka of Avalokiteshvara Sahasrabhuja

Dharma Instruments

Dharma Instruments in Buddhism In Chinese, the term “法器,” (Dharma instrument) is commonly associated with various instruments held by the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, or used in Buddhist practices. Due to contextual differences, the definition of a Dharma instrument may vary. The Dharma Instruments cradled by the Thousand-Armed, Thousand-Eyed Guanyin Bodhisattva encapsulate a more profound symbolic meanings, signifying the inexhaustible benefits that Guanyin Bodhisattva imparts for the welfare of all sentiment beings. Conversely, the Dharma Instruments employed in customary Buddhist practices or ceremonies, such as bells, drums, and wooden fish are functioned as tangible devices associated with marking of time, facilitating meditation, or beckoning gatherings (for instance, chiming a bell to denote the inception of a meditative period. These musical instruments hold distinct importance and purposes within spiritual cultivation, allowing practitioners to immerse themselves more profoundly in the tenets of Buddhism. Definition and reference of Buddhist Dharma Instruments, sourced from the following website: • https://www.dharmadrum.org/portal_d8_cnt_page.php?folder_id=30&cnt_id=80&up_page=1 • https://www.jstor.org/stable/25163868

Method/Way/Path/Gate of Dharma

The term “法門” (Method/Path/Way/Gate of Dharma) is frequently found in various Buddhist scriptures, including “The Lotus Sutra.” It is a significant term in Buddhist teachings that signifies the countless variations in methods and practices taught by the Buddha to guide sentient beings on their personal paths to enlightenment. This concept is often symbolized as the “eighty-four thousand Dharma Gates.”

Playful Samadhi

“Samadhi” refers to a deep state of meditation, also known as meditative absorption, in which the mind is fully focused on a single object. “Playful Samadhi” can be seen as a state resembling a purposeless game, where the heart is free from worries, enabling one to act in alignment with their inclinations and intuitively understand the underlying principles of the Dharma. In essence, those who have achieved a state of detachment and emptiness find themselves navigating the spiritual realm with unrestrained freedom, unbound by any limitations or restrictions. Definition sourced from the website

Pure Land

The concept of the Pure Land refers to the realm inhabited by Buddhas, bodhisattvas, and other enlightened beings. It is a world created by the merits and virtues of the Buddha, or possibly through the power of the Buddha's vow. What sets it apart from our world is the absence of illness, distress, and suffering in its environment. However, due to varying levels of spiritual attainment, the Pure Lands created may also differ from one another. http://www.fodizi.tw/qt/shengyanfashi/1263.html https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/pure-land

Nirvana

In Buddhism and Hinduism, Nirvana refers to final release from the cycle of reincarnation attained by extinction of all desires and individual existence, culminating (in Buddhism) in absolute blessedness, or (in Hinduism) in absorption into Brahman. https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/nirvana https://www.nichirenlibrary.org/en/dic/Content/N/76 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nirvana_(Buddhism)

Mahayana and Hinayana

Guru Sheng Yen, in his book “Orthodox Buddhism,” explains that during the time of the Buddha, there was no distinction between Mahayana and Hīnayāna because the essence of the Dharma remains consistent. Nevertheless, individuals with different capacities and levels of realization interpret it in their own unique ways. For those starting their journey, the Buddha imparted fundamental human ethics, including observing the five precepts (五戒) and practicing the ten virtuous deeds (十善), which are known as the paths of human and heavenly beings(人天乘). To address the disillusionment with worldly existence, the Buddha taught the lesser vehicle of Hinayana (小乘), providing a means to liberate beings from the cycle of rebirth. Furthermore, for those endowed with profound spiritual potential and driven by a compassionate aspiration for transformation, the Buddha expounded the greater vehicle of the bodhisattva, known as Mahayana (大乘). This interconnected teaching reflects the diversity and adaptability of the Buddha's guidance to meet the needs of different practitioners. http://www.book853.com/show.aspx?id=9&cid=14&page=8

Transformation of Consciousness into Wisdom

The "Transformation of Consciousness into Wisdom" (轉識成智) symbolizes the journey from basic awareness to profound wisdom. It implies the holistic interaction of an individual with their environment, including self-perception and cognitive activities. Here, "consciousness" pertains to recognizing and contemplating phenomena, while "wisdom" refers to deep insight. This principle highlights how experiences and cognition transform consciousness, culminating in wisdom. https://shorturl.at/mwJW9 http://www.cttbusa.org/other2/consciousness_wisdom.htm

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