Speaking to Yourself: The Key to Practice That Everyone Overlooks

Do you know why you visit the temple, chant sutras, yet still feel unchanged? Learn how to speak to yourself to see your mind and open the door to true practice. Have you ever felt like a broken motorcycle taken to a repair shop, where the mechanic cannot find the fault? Or do you wonder why, despite going to the temple, chanting, and eating vegetarian food, your heart remains entangled and drifting? In a recent dharma talk, Venerable Thich Chan Quang offered a simple yet profound perspective: practice is not about seeking something new, but about repairing what is already broken.

## Practice Is Repairing: Fix What Is Broken

The teacher said, "Practice is repairing. Whatever is broken, fix it." This sounds easy, but doing it is incredibly difficult. If your motorcycle will not start, a skilled mechanic disassembles the engine, finds the exact spot where the wire is cut, reconnects it, and the vehicle runs again. But if they cannot see the break, endless effort is useless. On the path of practice, it is the same. To repair a damaged mind, you must first see it clearly.

## Why Is It Hard to See Our Own Mistakes?

The Buddha taught that humans have six sense faculties, known as the six roots. Five of these roots—eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and body—all point outward, observing, listening to, and judging the world. Only the sixth root, the mind-root, is used to look back at oneself. This is the unique gift of the Buddha's teachings (Dharma). Yet most of us use only those five roots to chase after external objects, while neglecting the mind-root. Consequently, we are expert at judging others, but blind to our own faults.

The difficulty lies in not seeing our own errors. Because we cannot see them, we cannot correct them. Furthermore, our ego deceives us. When someone makes a snide remark, pride rises within us without our awareness. Seeing a beer cart overturned and people looting it, we too feel tempted. Yet when asked if we are good, everyone says, "I am not yet good." This is the narrow gate of spiritual cultivation.

## The Key: Amplify the Mind-Root a Hundredfold

Venerable Thich Chan Quang pointed out the method of practice: when the eyes see an object or the ears hear a sound, immediately use the mind-root to observe what arises in your mind. For example, if someone speaks harshly to you, do not rush to judge them; instead, address your own mind. Deal skillfully with your own mind, specifically with its afflictions (kleshas). An ancient Zen master once said, "Turning the light inward to examine oneself is the essential duty of a practitioner." The key lies in amplifying the mind-root a hundred times more than the other five senses.

## Do Not Let the Ego Deceive You

The ego is very clever. It makes us believe we are good, yet behind every thought of being "good" hides ambition, competitiveness, and delusion. For instance, you might think you are heroic because you want to save a girl from bullying, but in reality, you enjoy fighting, showing off, and are captivated by beauty. Without clear mindfulness, we are deceived and rejoice in this illusion. Do not let the ego deceive you into endlessly praising yourself.

When you perceive your mind as "good," pause and examine it closely. Uncover all the layers within. Is it truly good? Or is it just the ego boasting? By doing this, you begin to attain purity.

## Practice Starting Today: Speak to Yourself

This dharma talk is a warm reminder: begin talking to yourself. Each time the eyes see form, check if greed arises in your mind. Each time the ears hear sound, check if hatred stirs in your heart. Each time a thought arises, check for delusion. There is no need to rush; simply commit to doing this a little each day, and the inner mirror will gradually become bright.

The path of practice is not distant. It begins with a small action: turning inward, seeing your mind, and gently repairing what is damaged. Like a motorcycle with a reconnected wire, your life will once again operate in the right direction—toward goodness and enlightenment.