心性的弹性和可塑性

The Flexibility and Plasticity of the Mind

已定稿

我们都知道，身体的力量可以通过健身锻炼增长；其实，我们的心同样可以通过训练而改变。

We all know that we can strengthen our physical body through fitness exercises. Similarly, our mind can be transformed through training.
禅修大师们知道心性是多么有弹性和可塑性。如果我们训练它，会有不可思议的事情发生。

The meditation masters know that the nature of our mind is extensively flexible and malleable. If we train our minds, incredible things will happen.
事实上，一直以来，我们都是训练有素的——我们被训练的去嫉妒、去攀比、焦虑、忧伤、绝望和贪婪，被训练的一旦面对刺激，就极速地条件反射做出反应，事实上，我们已经被训练到非常严重的地步了，甚至都不必去努力激发，这些负面的情绪就会自动地生起来。

In fact, all along we are training our minds to be jealous, competitive, anxious, sad, desperate and greedy. Our minds are trained to react instantly to stimuli using reflexes. Actually, we are very advanced in this kind of training to the extent that the negative emotions will automatically arise with just very little stimulation.
如果我们继续任随这些不良心态的发展，心就会容易养成惰性，沉溺在情绪中不能自拔。

If we continuously indulge ourselves with the negative mindsets, our minds will habituate laziness and fall drowning in the ocean of emotions.
其实我们的一切情绪都是负面的，都是负能量。正能量是没有情绪的，它是清净的、慈悲的、喜悦的、智慧的。

All emotions are negative energy because positive energy is pure, compassionate, joyful and free from emotion.
靠近正能量的人，就仿佛沐浴在阳光下，仿佛自心中的阴霾也在退散。 那么，如何把自己的心也训练成正能量呢？训练这个心性绝不是强迫把情绪和妄心压制下来，觉悟者教导我们，训练心，首先要具体地看清心的运作方式，然后开始训练这个妄心，用正确的观念和思惟去转变我们错误的观念，逐渐消除各种负面情绪。

Those who assimilate positive energy can dispel gloom in their heart as if shades disappear under the sun. So, how to train our mind to be positive? It is not about suppressing emotions and desires. The Enlightened Ones teach us that it starts with knowing the mind. After knowing it, we can tame it. The rightful views can transform wrongful views, and gradually many negative emotions will be eliminated.
就像面对一团乱麻似的绳子，并且绳子上还打满了各种各样的结，我们如果闭着眼睛，怎么可能把它理顺呢？我们的心也一样，心中有很多很多的结，都是它自己打上的结，但我们还不自知、不自觉，也不知道怎样解开，还继续地在结上再打结。

We can use a pile of entangled strings as an analogy. Can we untie the knots with our eyes closed? In our minds and hearts, we also created many knots that we are not aware of. While we do not know how to untie these knots, we keep on adding more.
在训练中，我们让心性致力于解开心中的这些结，贪爱的执着、嗔恨的执著等等一切心理习惯，无数的结。 在掌握了这个方法以后，就要不断地去练习，只有不断地练习，最后才能够彻底地消除一切情绪的根源：颠倒妄想执著。

The taming of mind is to focus on untying these knots, to clear our clinging to desires, aversion and afflictions that we are emotionally habituated to. Once we have a hold of the method and approach, we have to practice diligently. Only by continual practices will we be able to eliminate the roots of emotions, and rectify the wrongful views of clinging.

比如我们练太极拳，你学会了这个套路以后，要天天练，练完了以后还要跟同修对练，这样才能真正地有功夫，不光有功夫，还得有面对对手丰富灵活的经验。练套路可以增长我们的内功，对练可以积累消灭敌人的经验，灵活掌握拳法的精髓。

Just like learning Tai Chi, we first acquire the forms and then we do our daily practices diligently. We will then become good enough to partner up with peers for matches. From the matches, not only do we improve our skills, we accumulate practical experiences too. Practicing forms is to strengthen our inner force. Practicing matches is to gain experience in combating opponents, and become flexible and realistic in grasping the essence of the forms.
下围棋也是这样，学会围棋怎么下法了，就要天天去练习怎么布局，怎么占地方，练习死活的对杀，然后还要跟别人对练，在对练中成长。 又或者是舞蹈家，从小练习，花费十几二十年的心血，耐心地苦练，最后才能够翩翩起舞,都是一样的。

Playing chess is another analogy. It starts with knowing the basic rules, then you study the advancing techniques, and finally develop further through matching opponents. We see the same in dancers. From childhood practice, they dance beautifully as a result of decades of dedicated practices and hardships.

学习训练我们的心性也是这样的，当心性开始觉悟，并且掌握了正确的方法，那么也要长期地练习自己，练习到一定的时候，就会出神入化。不管你干什么，心只要全力以赴地投入，就会达到一个出神入化的境界。 通过训练的心性，可以认识宇宙的真理，现证宇宙的真相，让心性变得清净自在、妙用无穷，这才是生命中真正有意义的事情。

To acquire mindfulness needs training too. From establishing awareness, to grasping the skills, it takes time, effort and discipline. Through diligent practices, you will master the skills, and you will reach the meditative state and in alignment with its progressive stages. When your mind is tamed, you will see the truth of the Universe and verify its true essence. Your mind will be pure and free to create infinite possibilities. You will live a truly meaningful life.

备注：
翻译人：Louise
校对人：玄果师父