"When
we're in the higher dimensions, we see everything in the innumerable
worlds emerge and disappear in a fraction of a moment, just like
bubbles! We can't even say it takes place in a moment. Things disappear
almost as soon as they emerge. It's the same with all the illusory
worlds we see in the higher dimensions.
We
seem to go through long periods of suffering because of our ignorance.
We're trapped in the cage of time and space; that's why it seems
to be a long time. In reality, it's not that long. To God, it's
even shorter than a second or a fraction of a moment. It can't be
considered time. It passes really quickly! But since you're trapped
in a corner, you can't see the whole and you think that you're just
there. This isn't true! You're omnipresent. You're just stuck there
and can't fly out. Then you consider yourself to be there, and you're
just that one or this one.
Sometimes
little birds or insects get stuck on our windows. Since the windowpane
is transparent and the room is lighted, they don't realize that
there's a window and they crash into the pane. Their heads become
swollen and their eyes blinded, and in a short while they unconsciously
fall on the floor. They don't enter through an open space, but fly
right into the windowpane.
We
do the same! We should renounce everything, even our happiness,
and then we'll be fine. We shouldn't even ask for peace, health,
success, reputation, riches or family. We should ask for nothing
at all. Then we won't suffer! It's just that we ask for too much
so we get stuck here and there, with our nose caught in there, too.
And then we cry out for help."
From "Renounce Everything and Be Happy"
News 146, Pearls of Wisdom
Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai
7-Day Retreat in Hsihu Center, Formosa •
September 28 - October 3, 1990
(originally in Chinese) MP3-9
Retreats Schedule