Things we should not cling to will inevitably experience the pain we should avoid.
We suffer because we cling to things we shouldn't, experiencing the pain we should avoid.
Have you ever observed the clouds in the sky? If you look closely, sometimes the shapes of clouds resemble a flower, then they begin to change, transforming into a tree, a cow, a fish; if you cling to the shape of a flower, you will inevitably be frustrated, because the flower will soon disappear and transform into something else. This is the nature of clouds.
Life is the same. Lovers change their hearts, things change their course, health changes, yesterday's person may not be here today. Everything is in a state of constant change. When we are happy, we laugh; when we lose something, we cry. This is why our hearts are always in turmoil, because the world is inherently unpredictable, and everything is constantly changing. If you're clinging to things, how can your heart be peaceful?
The reason our hearts are uneasy is that we project our unstable and unreal desires onto things.
People suffer because they cling to things that are destined to be lost. No matter what you obtain, loss is already predetermined. Because everything belongs to the process of 'getting' and 'losing,' and everyone belongs to the 'coming' and 'going' in this journey. Loss is an inevitable result of this process and journey. If we cannot see through it, we cannot end our suffering.
When you are deeply saddened, have you ever noticed? You are necessarily confronting 'the truth,' because you don't want to accept this reality, therefore you are sad and upset, don't you?
You think that if you have something, you will never lose it; you think that if you raise a child, the child will eventually care for you; you think that if you are kind to people, people will reciprocate; you think that the person who loves you will always love you; you think that the people around you will always be there. These are all delusions, projecting your expectations and desires into this unstable world, and expecting the world to run according to your thoughts. Isn't this self-inflicted suffering?
Indeed, we suffer because we cling to things we shouldn't cling to. 'The truth' will never frustrate or sadden you. People are frustrated and saddened because they impose their illusions on the truth.
People change, things change, objects change, everything in the world is impermanent, so don't cling to things or create problems for yourself. When a cloud is a flower, that's good; when it transforms into a tree, it doesn't matter. Why not go with the flow, and sway with the wind when it blows? When it rains, dance in the rain!
People often say that liberation is difficult. In fact, liberation is not difficult, as long as you are willing to let go of your attachments, you are liberated in the present moment, aren't you?
