Opening The Mind's Eye (Clarity and Spaciousness in Buddhist Practice)

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Many of us view the world through a murky filter, unaware that a glimpse through lens of the Dharma removes the cloudiness, revealing brilliance, clarity, and indescribable joy. Venerable Master Hsing Yun has dedicated his life to helping innumerable people put on "Dharma glasses" and look at their previous lives through new eyes-eyes that see the true nature of the universe and human existence.

In Opening the Mind's Eye, Master Hsing Yun invites us to find ease in every moment and "face life and the future with confidence and radiance." We discover that each moment of our lives has the potential to enshroud us in confusion, distress, and an atrophied mind, or invite us into peace, joy, and boundless freedom.

Many of us view the world through a murky filter, unaware that a glimpse through the lens of the Dharma removes the cloudiness, leaving only brilliance, clarity, and indescribable joy. Venerable Master Hsing Yun has dedicated his life to helping innumerable people put on Dharma glasses and look at their precious lives through new eyes-eyes that see the true nature of the universe and human existence. In this book, Master Hsing Yun expounds upon basic teachings that help us understand conscious and conscientious Buddhist practices and perspectives, enabling us to heighten the value of existence, live a life of utmost freedom and potential, and bring unlimited joy to ourselves and others.

At times we struggle to understand that life can be bigger and more inclusive than our self-imposed boundaries and limitations suggest. We often get stuck in a quagmire of doubt, confusion, animosity, and discontent, creating a life of small dimensions and looming obstacles. A journey through this book can help us examine how we may be perceiving certain aspects of our lives with eyes that are not yet able to manage a more expansive view. Master Hsing Yun shares his insights about spiritually developed ways of thinking and living that can assist us in transcending the plane of ordinary perception.

The themes of dissolving illusive boundaries and penetrating ultimate Truth permeate this entire work. The first chapter builds a foundation upon which the other chapters rely in their quest to unshackle us from our standard, narrow, and even erroneous perspectives. We learn that by embarking on a journey of practice that originates from the "right perspectives;' we can open ourselves up to unimpeded spiritual progress that ultimately reveals our true nature. As we nurture deeper awareness and understanding of Buddhist perspectives and delve into new ways of perceiving causes and conditions, time and space, destiny, magic, and rebirth, we can take a first step toward creating a life of immense proportions.

Central to the teachings incorporated in this book and also key to Buddhist thought are the notions of impermanence and the need to rely upon our own efforts to reach ultimate liberation. The reader will encounter numerous references to the importance of understanding the impermanent nature of all phenomena, for this understanding is crucial to gaining freedom from small-mindedness and perpetual suffering. Without realizing the truth of impermanence, we tend to approach life with grasping and clinging attitudes, and therefore may experience continual dissatisfaction and loss. Thus traditional and habitual perceptions keep us mired in suffering. With a mindful and reflective journey through this book, we can begin to understand impermanence in a new way, and see that it points 'directly to the Dharma, which is both eternal and unchanging.

To facilitate this understanding, Master Hsing Yun elaborates on myriad ways in which we cling to conclusions about our own circumstances, traditional ideas about the size and scope of space and time, incorrect assumptions about our own destinies, blindness about magic in daily living, and misunderstandings about rebirth. Although raised in traditional Chinese monasteries, Master Hsing Yun has a keen sense of the daily challenges of modern life, rendering him sensitive to the difficulties we face when attempting to "let go". With the help of this book, we can discover the truth of impermanence, and our lives can blossom with unlimited hope and infinite possibilities. Suddenly, the world is a much more dynamic and creative place.

Woven throughout the pages of this book is the assertion that, quite simply, "it is up to you:' Self-effort and self-reliance are essential to enlarging our viewpoints, shifting our perspectives, and finding freedom and joy within Buddhist teachings. Realizing the vast potential and radiant purity inherent in our true nature takes courage and commitment, but the rewards are infinite and exquisite. Along with reasons and specific methods for incorporating the teachings into our daily lives, Master Hsing Yun also offers abundant encouragement for people wanting to venture into the bright world of Buddhist perspectives and practice. While the notion that "it is up to you" may be unsettling or even daunting to those raised in other spiritual traditions, no one needs to be alarmed at this prospect or feel that they are alone or without support. In fact, through practice, we can tap into the beauty of interdependence and realize the harmony and inherent connections between all beings. We will be supported and cradled by the Dharma as we learn to support it in every thought, word, and action.

The numerous affirmations in the first chapter will comfort us, and although learning, studying, practicing, and contemplating elevate and expand our spiritual development, we do not need to acquire anything new or attain copious knowledge in order to fully comprehend the meaning of Buddhist teachings, and ultimately, the Truth. We already possess the Truth; in fact, we are the Truth. We only need to wake up and reveal its magnificence. In actuality, this book does not give us anything that we do not already know; our pure, essential Buddha Nature already encompasses complete and perfect understanding. This book will, however, give us tools with which to access this true nature, realize its infinite dimensions, and manifest its perfection and beauty in every moment. We discover that each precious moment of our lives has the potential to enshroud us in confusion, distress, and an atrophied mind, or to invite us into peace, joy, and boundless freedom.

Through the wisdom shared within the pages of this book and the hopeful shift in perception that can occur, Master Hsing Yun invites us to find ease in every moment and "face life and the future with confidence and radiance." Dissolving illusive boundaries and penetrating ultimate Truth are not beyond our comprehension or ability. May you experience abundant joy as you put on your Dharma glasses and experience the true potential and immensity of your life.