Not Getting Attached to Things or Nothing
by Master Lee Feng San Shifu
Translated by Sophia Lui
Edited by Ric Meyers
Do you feel stressed out when you are busy, yet unnerved when you have nothing to do? This is what often happens. When we feel we have too much to do, we crave a break from work. Yet, when we have nothing to do, we start to feel uneasy and oh, so bored. The truth is, these kinds of conflicting feelings is a sign that we are unconsciously trying to run away from something.
There is a saying that describes a type of person who perform poorly when they are assigned tasks that exceed their ability. Yet, when they are given tasks for which they are more than qualified, they act superior — as if they are “above” doing such menial jobs. On the other hand, there are those who would humbly learn and do their best when they are assigned tasks for which they are under-qualified. Yet, when they are assigned more “routine” tasks, they will also approach it with the same respectful attitude — having in mind only to do the job well. This, indeed, should be the attitude of the practitioner of self-cultivation.
Self-cultivation does not require us to go up into the mountains, nor to the temple or church. In our daily lives, every moment is an opportunity for self-cultivation, in which we develop not only ourselves, but also help others.
In self-cultivation there is saying: “Do not get attached to anything, not even to nothing.” This refers to what Shakyamuni Buddha said in the Vajra Sutra: “Everything which comes into being is only a temporary phenomenon; like a dream or a bubble; like a dewdrop or a flash of lightning.”
What the saying means is that we should neither attach ourselves to, nor try to avoid, anyone or anything. The correct attitude should be that, in times of abundance, we should take advantage of it; and in times of lack, we should try to do what we can within the limitations. In this way, we will appreciate the times of “having” and not waste our opportunities, nor become discouraged and immobilized with fear and doubt during times of “have not.”
Not getting ourselves attached to, or avoiding, anyone or anything is therefore the highest level of self-development. To fully understand this concept, we have to put it into practice in our daily lives!
“Do not get stressed out when we are busy, nor unnerved when we have nothing to do. Do not get attached to things or nothing; be at peace with both.” — Lee Feng San Shifu