When problems arise, one must not look outward. Every problem, in part, certainly originates from within oneself. Upon encountering a problem, one should proceed as follows:
- Promptly calm the mind through recitation of prayers and sitting in meditation for a period.
- Conduct a thorough self-examination — from the moment of waking until retiring for the night — assessing the degree of cleanliness and orderliness maintained in every room:
- 2.1) The bedroom — how clean and orderly is it?
- 2.2) The bathroom — how clean and orderly is it?
- 2.3) The kitchen — how clean and orderly is it?
- 2.4) The dressing area or vanity — how clean and orderly is it?
- 2.5) The workplace — how clean and orderly is it?
Through such examination and reflection, one will come to recognize that the crisis or problem that has arisen is, in part, certainly of one’s own making. As for others who may be involved, their contribution likewise stems from an insufficient degree of cleanliness and orderliness in each of their own spaces. Therefore, let all work together to clean and bring order to every place in which one resides — and in due course all will settle into its proper state, and the problem will dissolve, imperceptibly, of its own accord.
17 March 2020
