Emotions and Inner Life
How can I keep living meaningfully when I feel I have seen through life but feel empty?
English translation draft · Based on the Chinese article. This is not a word-for-word translation approved by Master Shengyuan.
Thinking that everything will eventually disappear and therefore nothing matters is not yet seeing through life. Recognizing that things change differs from giving up effort and helping others because of it. Spiritual practice should move us in a better direction, rather than toward increasing passivity.
Dao Shun said similar thoughts arose in youth, but hearing an elderly monk's teaching later brought a new understanding. Within an understanding of reincarnation, life does not mean that everything ends in nothing, making effort unnecessary now. Rather, the wish to move toward a better place calls for kindness and helping others. This was Dao Shun's understanding from that teaching.
So when discussing nonattachment, examine where it is taking you. Greater appreciation and willingness to give show growth. If instead you want to do nothing and lose direction in life, reconsider whether you have misunderstood the teaching. Life still has difficulties. Facing them with a different mindset is part of training the heart.