Master the Rhythm, Triumph Through Perseverance
I.Master the Rhythm to Sustain the Journey
In countering restlessness and drowsiness, there is another essential key: the rhythm of practice.
If you genuinely find it impossible to continue reciting, there is no need to force yourself artificially. You may pause appropriately, walk around, circumambulate the Buddha statue, relax briefly, or attend to other tasks before returning to resume your recitation. Adjusting your pace in this way is by no means tantamount to abandoning your practice.
Yet one principle above all remains paramount: perseverance!
Through sustained, long-term perseverance, Buddha-recitation gradually becomes second nature—eventually solidifying into a true spiritual mastery (gōngfu).
What is meant by "embodying mastery"? It resembles a martial artist whose strikes require no conscious thought, whose movements flow with supreme, effortless fluidity. During the late Qing dynasty, the renowned martial artist Guo Yunshen was famous for his "Half-Step Crushing Fist" (Bànbù Bēngquán). When he began his training, his master, Li Luoneng, would ride ahead on a donkey while Guo followed behind on foot, thrusting his fists continuously as he walked for tens of miles. Even when confined to a cramped prison cell, bound in heavy chains and leg irons, he would still train involuntarily. One might say mastery came "seeking" him—he was simply unable to refrain from practicing, for habit had become second nature.
The same holds true for Buddha-recitation. Where martial arts involve physical mastery, Buddha-recitation achieves "mastery of the mind." Upon reaching a certain stage, it is no longer you who deliberately recite the Buddha's name; rather, the recitation comes 'seeking' you, arising spontaneously without conscious effort. Should you cease reciting, you feel uncomfortable instead. At this juncture, practice transforms from deliberate exertion into natural spontaneity, moving from effortful striving into an effortless stream.
II. The Hardship Lies in the Beginning; The Triumph Lies in Perseverance
To attain such a state, the key rests upon a single word: perseverance.
The greatest difficulty in Buddha-recitation lies precisely in the initial stage—confronting restlessness, drowsiness, mental distraction, and the pull of habitual tendencies. Once you cross this threshold, the path ahead becomes remarkably smooth. As spiritual mastery accumulates, states such as "the unbroken continuity in Buddha-recitation” (gōngfu chéngpiàn) and the "Buddha-recollection samādhi" (buddhānusmṛti-samādhi) naturally unfold, while the mind grows increasingly settled, clear, and luminous.
Further along, one can gradually receive pith instructions and integrate deeper views—such as relative emptiness, Mahāmudrā, or Dzogchen—combining them with Buddha-recitation to attain ultimate awakening. The subsequent stages of practice are no longer difficult.
Yet compared to attaining higher spiritual states in the later phases of practice, the true challenge lies in whether one encounters a fully qualified spiritual master. Prior to such an encounter, however, whether one can progress steadfastly through the initial stages of practice is the most fundamental and decisive factor. If the foundation is unstable, no matter how extraordinary a teacher one encounters, one will fail to truly benefit, rendering the opportunity in vain.
Therefore, whether one recites the Buddha's name seeking rebirth in the Pure Land or practices any other Dharma vehicle, perseverance is the indispensable foundation. Neither restlessness nor drowsiness marks a failure in practice; rather, they are the very proof that practice is taking place. As long as your direction does not waver and your rhythm remains well-attuned, continuous application will ultimately transform these temporary obstacles into provisions for the journey ahead.
This article is a preliminary translation draft and has not yet been reviewed or proofread by the speaker.
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