We should use our intelligence to figure out ways
to do things. For instance, the other day, I told the fellow practitioners
to use wooden boards to move the trees, because it was better, faster,
and less strenuous. When we are used to doing things, we naturally
react quickly. My brain is the same as yours, so why can't you do
what I do? By dissecting our brains for analysis and comparison, you
will find that the brain in each one of you is the same as mine, containing
the same material inside. You can't say that my brain is better than
yours in any way. Since you have the same brain as I do, why don't
you use it? Isn't it a great pity not to use it?
If you want to spoil yourself, to sink lower, and
continue to decay, and be lazy and slovenly, it is your own choice.
You can't blame God; you can't blame it on karma or anything. It is
all because you don't utilize your brain and let it function. My brain
has the same quality as yours. To be more precise, my brain is even
smaller than yours, and lighter in weight, so you ought to be smarter
than I am! If we make a serious calculation, I am at a disadvantage.
How can you still be looking for excuses?
So make your own choice. Should you be willing to
use your brain and force it to work, and be strict with yourself,
then I don't have to be strict with you. When you demand of yourself
strictly, it shows that you love me, because you save a lot of my
vitality. I don't need to reproach you and feel sad. Many unhappy
moments can be avoided, and the relationship between us, Master and
disciples, will not be impaired. Much time can be saved for doing
better work, and for me to enjoy tea with you, to share some important
wisdom in the universe.
Don't think that you are great when you help me! Neither
should you generate a kind of very busy or exciting atmosphere, just
because you are doing some work or contributing a little effort. This
will only make things worse, because people will think that we have
accomplished it, and so there is no need to help. Whereas others can't
do our work, each one has his own work to do. God gives us this talent
precisely because Hes wants us to do this job, and not another job.
It is also all right to do the other job, but then we have to come
back again to finish the job that we have left undone. This is because
that job was specifically given to us to learn a lesson.
Every job is only a means for us to learn and grow.
Actually, we do not do any work. You should not complain and think
that you are working too hard. It is only a means for us to learn.
God uses this method to educate us, let us become enlightened, and
give us a chance to develop our talents, cultivate our personality,
beautify our demeanor, and develop our mindfulness. Every job is the
same, because we can only learn other things through this method.
If we are truly mindful in our work, we can learn
something from doing any task. It is like following an example that
will lead us to realize other things. Therefore, sometimes when we
work, we suddenly realize many truths. Work is a way to temper ourselves,
helping us to measure our personality, stamina, talents, and level
of enlightenment. So, you shouldn't be afraid to work. Fear of work
is also a kind of phobia. The more we work, the more enlightened we
will become.