Do Not Be Led Away by Familiar Illusions

📖Master’s Reading

The hardest thing to set down in life is often deep emotion. Yet at the great pass of life and death, this attachment may become the greatest bondage to the soul's liberation.

The truth of the dharmadhātu is: when life ends and one enters the bardo, Guru Padmasambhava warned: "If you see kin coming to receive you, absolutely do not go with them." Many think it warm for kin to come and guide them, not knowing why they appear in the form of kin. It is because you think of them and hold them in mind, so they manifest in the familiar form.

This is an illusion, leading you into the illusion of rebirth into the family. Once you follow out of reluctance, you are led again into the family's saṃsāra, forever unable to escape the net. This is not teaching us to be heartless but to have the wisdom to see through illusion. True love is not gripping and not letting go but blessing each other. If while alive one clings too much to family love, at death one is led astray by this mighty karma.

So facing the unknown realm, settle your mind and do not be led away by familiar illusions. Just keep clarity where you are, recite the buddha-names and mantras, and await the strong light of the buddhas and bodhisattvas. When the mind is no longer held hostage by worldly attachment, one can transcend saṃsāra and see the vast road to the Pure Land.

🌱Reflection for Daily Life

• True love was never gripping and not letting go but blessing each other.
• Facing life and death, set down the deepest attachment.
• In the bardo, do not be led away by illusion.
• Settle the mind in clarity and recite buddha-names and mantras.
• Await the true strong light of the buddhas' guidance.