Cessation of Suffering
The union of Heaven and human beings has been severed, leaving a void in the connection between the divine and mortal realms. This disconnect has led to a sense of isolation and longing for spiritual guidance among humanity. As a result, people are searching for ways to bridge the gap and restore harmony between themselves and the celestial realm. Many are turning to various forms of spirituality and religious practices in an attempt to fill the void left by the severed union. In the past people were much simpler, their thoughts and actions were aligned with four seasons, heaven and earth. They did not wear excessive clothes and did not abuse themselves. They ate seasonal food and guarded themselves from pathogenic energies.
In today's society, the values of simplicity, harmony with nature, and self-discipline seem to have been overshadowed by materialism and instant gratification. Preoccupied with cultural trends, deconstructing the moral law, and unable to exert control over strong desires, an ordinary human is lost in a maze. The concepts of wisdom, sage-hood, and frugality have been lost, replaced by ideas of consumerism, wasteful production, and third-order simulacra. These deviations attack the cognitive animal bases in damaging manner. As a result, many individuals struggle to find balance and meaning in their lives, leading to a sense of disconnection and confusion. This leads humans into a disrupted state. In fact, if one seeks harmony in today’s times, one will find that the primordial balance of Earth's ecosystem has been disrupted, making peaceful existence no longer viable. The habitat itself changed and not the nature of this cosmos, which is unchanging.
Think about it: Is there a way out from this state for all beings or on an individual level? This duality, void within the one mind, is precisely another factor preventing peaceful existence of progress. The violent winds of change could affect anyone who is not able to guard oneself from them. The only path forward for humankind is being narrowed by the day, and that is precisely what prophets of the past warned about. Dharma-ending ages manifest in the ineffectiveness of Dharma teachings of the first, second, as well as third turn of the wheel of Dharma. Only by interpreting the Dharma realistically and structurally, scrutinizing every aspect of it, can a person of today’s times mine out the wisdom needed to traverse the ever-narrowing path correctly.
Pandemics, conflicts, wildfires and desertification are all dharma-ending times manifestation. By practicing moderation, individuals can help alleviate the suffering caused by these developments and contribute to a more peaceful and balanced world. There is a great deal of animosity between different entities at every level, from the lowest common denominator to the greatest elite. There are two reasons for this. First being the lack of knowledge of the Divine Law and Divine Way, while the second being the devilish elements of illusion that are determined to reduce the process of endurance to the most fundamental forms of survival. By fostering understanding and empathy, individuals can help bridge these divides and promote unity and cooperation. By recognizing our interconnectedness with all beings, the essence of which is ren, we can work towards a more harmonious and peaceful coexistence in the world.
This disruption has caused a ripple effect, impacting not only the environment but also social structures and individual well-being. The quest for balance and harmony now extends beyond personal lives to encompass global issues that require collective action and responsibility. That is the order of the universe explained at the highest realistically achievable level of an ordinary person. A cultivator should aim to attain the cessation of all karmic links leading to suffering and strive for enlightenment in order to transcend the cycle of birth and death. This understanding is essential for navigating the complexities of existence and achieving true liberation from suffering.
This state of enlightenment allows one to transcend the cycle of rebirth and suffering, ultimately reaching a state of peace and liberation. By understanding and embodying this wisdom, individuals can contribute to the greater harmony and balance of the cosmos. By exerting his mind and meditating upon this ninth immaterial jhāna, one liberates not only self but also all sentient beings from the destructive cycle of saṃsāra.
Ri Yaouyue
11. 1. 2025
