All Things But None

"Turning around and the shore is there." This well-known saying is a good reminder in life. When the prodigal turns around and changes for the better, he/she is as good as gold. If an individual fails to see what is ahead and charges forward blindly, the result will be either crashing into a wall or falling over the cliff. Therefore, knowing when to turn around is very important.

The journey of life is full of temptation and traps. When lured by temptation, if we do not turn ourselves around in time, we may find ourselves on the road of no return. For instance, many people indulge themselves in sex and alcohol. They should know when to turn things around, because their fate is in their own hands. Others blindly pursue fame and high status, not realizing how their lives have become shackled by their pursuits. If they turn their minds around, they will be so much more carefree.

By looking ahead, we can only see half of the world. But by turning around, we will find the other half. The world in front is like a narrow door everyone is fighting to go through, and someone is bound to get hurt. If we can turn around and look at the world behind us, where there is no one fighting, we will see it is so much more open and free!

In life's boundless ocean of suffering, it is important for us to turn around to look for the shore. When we are forced into a corner by circumstances, or find ourselves walking down a dead-end alley because of our thoughts, it is crucial that we know how to turn things around and give ourselves some space. Just as in driving a car, we should know how to make a turn ahead of time. When crossing each other's path on the street, we need to know when to step aside. We should ask ourselves, "Is it really victory for us when we do not yield and move?"

There are so many embarrassing situations where we need to find a way out. Similarly, when we are engaged in conflicts with others, we should step back to look for a solution. Without leaving enough ground for negotiation in our relationships with others, we will not be able to reap good results. When there are financial disputes, we need to leave enough space for both sides to turn the situation around. Whatever the situation, when we are faced with obstacles, we have to understand when and how to turn ourselves around.

As the saying goes, "Reaching the end of mountains or rivers, we naturally need to turn around." Sailing in an ocean of suffering, we must understand that because the ocean is boundless, we must turn around to find the shore. In moving down the path of life, we also need to know where to turn around.

There is a verse on the front gates of Fo Guang Shan in Twiwan, "Where do you want to go? Please consider carefully when you plan to come back! Turn around and the shore is there." Once we understand this concept, need we still fear not having room to turn ourselves around in life?

Text by Venerable Master Hsing Yun