Initial Practice Requires an Extremely Quiet Environment (2023-11-05)

Ven. Shi Ruyuan: I usually practice alone, because it is very difficult to develop meditative concentration in a crowd. Let alone contemplating and examining the meaning of the Dharma—even just trying to settle down is hard. I have to find time to settle down and contemplate the Dharma's meaning, and if I accidentally hear the slightest noise, I get badly startled. For example, I now live in a high-rise building, with other households living above and below me; when others carelessly make some noise, I get badly startled. Now, whether walking, standing, sitting, or lying down, when my mind settles down I simply cannot tolerate any noise, because contemplating the meaning of the Dharma requires deep mental contemplation to gain even a little insight. Nowadays I generally wait until others have rested and things quiet down before I dare to calmly contemplate and reflect on the meaning of the Dharma. In noisy environments, I generally use the mind consciousness to read the Master's teachings on the Dharma.

Assessment: This was Ven. Shi Ruyuan's state when she first began learning Buddhism before leaving home. Her meditative concentration had just begun to arise and was not yet firm; she feared being disturbed and feared being startled by sounds. After a period of time, once her meditative concentration became firm and her psychological resilience grew stronger, this situation would improve. Practice is not easy—one's views and conduct run counter to those of worldly people. This world is not the home ground of practitioners, and practicing within the world is very difficult; one must overcome extremely many obstacles and bear enormous psychological pressure, which others can hardly understand. Therefore practitioners are all very lonely, unable to find kindred spirits.