Concious is our very mind. Even the mind is not obtainable. Why? Because the mind we are using is the delusive mind, and not the Buddha mind. How? The Buddha mind is unmoving, our mind has constant rising and falls. Thus the delusive mind in which we are using only causes more and more delusion in the end. We indulge on many things we come into contact with, in our minds we keep hold of many things which we believe is important, dear to us. Upon hearing Buddha's teachings we still cannot get our head around as to let it go, understand that all of this is just your delusive thoughts. You miss someone? Delusive thoughts. Someone made you angry? Just you delusive thoughts. You feel happy? Also you delusive thoughts. Life is painful? Still your delusive thoughts.
Thus you must understand, in this world we live in there is nothing which causes us happy experience or painful sufferings. It is all in your mind. People these days are under much emotional depression and pain, understand that all that pain will go away as soon as you stop indulging on it. But why shouldnt you indulge on it? The past is always gone, what you have gone through and remembered in your mind will never become real nor will it come back ever again. The present keeps fading, what you are experiencing right now, whether good or bad, happy or sad is just a gush of water flowing past you; you only experience it once and then it's gone forever. The future still isnt here, thus the things you hope for, the things you expect for, is still ultimately like a poor drunk man talking about his dreams.
You indulge. But what have you gained? What benifit have you gained? Nothing. Tell me, what can you possibly gain from thinking, from indulging, from wanting, from hoping? You think this person is your enemy? Look closely, they arent. You think your loved ones have left you because they love you no more? Look closely. Your's and their debts has been fully paid. Karma resolved. No more fooling around. You think you are suffering from stress, from your house bills, from your finance, from your life? Look closely at your bills, at your money, at your life. Everything is nothing but karma.
So you must understand, indulgences is like a wall protecting our delusive root. One must let go of all, every single one of our indulgences in order to have the least success in this lifetime. Once the Wall is down, the Emperor is on the verge of desolation. Dont give up dudes. Let go of all you can let go, keep your mind simple. Real happiness, real freedom is there.
These two teachings alone gives Pure Land Buddhism students enough motivation, enough reasons to practice reciting Amitabha. For me anyway.
So that is the main reason i made this topic, it feels like im ranting, but im not. Im just pointing out what Buddha pointed out, our common illness. Indulgences. And we must leave them for good if you wish to use this life well. Otherwise, only suffering awaits, and once you sink, the moment your last breathe ends, that is it. No one can save you. Personally i owe many thanks to this Sutra as it has shown me what i come to experience with, what i come in terms with really is. To make one's indulgences less strong as it used to be. To live a life of freedom, easy come easy go. Ultimately, how should one do this? By viewing the world as a dream. Thus Buddha finally taught in this Sutra:
QUOTE
All conditioned phenomena
Are like a dream, an illusion, a bubble, a shadow
Like the dew, or like lightning
You should discern them like this