The Cry Amidst the Raging Sea and the Mirror of the Mind

**Summary:** Combining the image of a whale saving fishermen with the Zen saying, "When a Hu person appears, a Hu reflection appears; when a Han person appears, a Han reflection appears," to explain the nature of the spiritual field of intuition.

A fierce storm suddenly descended upon the open sea. The small wooden boat of a group of fishermen tossed violently between mountainous waves. Black clouds smothered the sky, and the wind howled like the cries of demons. In their despair, with no hope left from machinery or outdated weather forecasts, even the toughest men had to kneel, joining their hands in prayer to their ancestors and deities. They begged for a miracle amidst the vast, savage sea.

Suddenly, from the deep ocean, a colossal dark shape emerged. It was a whale – a creature reverently called "Ong Ca" (Mr. Fish) by the people of the South. It did not attack. Instead, it gently positioned its back to support the bow of the boat, patiently pushing the vessel through the violent waves, guiding them safely to shore. Afterward, it submerged, returning to the sea. This act was not mere coincidence; it was the response of a "spiritual field" connecting the fishermen's sincere prayer with the creature's innate compassion and sensitivity.

The teacher explained: "The whale possesses a superior intuition. It could sense the fear and prayers of the humans from far away, even though the roar of the waves drowned out all other sounds. This serves as proof that intuition exists not only in humans but also pervades the animal world, forming an invisible network of sympathy."

The teacher then linked this to the classic Zen saying: "Like a clear mirror. When a Hu person appears, a Hu reflection appears; when a Han person appears, a Han reflection appears." This means that when our mind is as pure and clear as a bright mirror, whoever steps before it will have their true nature reflected clearly, without concealment. An Indian (Hu person) looking in sees an Indian's face; a Chinese (Han person) looking in sees a Chinese face. But if the mirror is dusty or distorted, the reflected image will be flawed.

We often complain about being deceived or taken advantage of. However, the deep-rooted cause is that the "mirror of our mind" has been stained by greed, hatred, and delusion. When the mind is not pure, our intuition is paralyzed, and we cannot see through to the true essence of things. Conversely, accomplished practitioners and those with a settled mind look at others as if through a clear pane of glass. They need few words, few actions; with just a glance or a breath, they already know whether a person is good or evil, true or false.

Intuition, when examined thoroughly, is the functioning of a "spiritual field." Just as light transmits images and sound transmits noise, a pure mind transmits truth. Science has not yet measured this field, but it is real. It radiates from the brain, spreads everywhere, connecting us with the universe, with spirits, with celestial beings, and with the animals around us. To activate intuition, we need not seek mystical secrets. Instead, we must clean the mirror of our mind each day through meditative concentration and moral conduct.

**Meaning of the Story**

Intuition is the manifestation of a "spiritual field," an invisible energy of sympathy connecting human to human, human to animal, and human to the universe. The story of the whale's rescue and the Zen teaching about the clear mirror affirm that: The ability to perceive truth does not depend on external data, but on the purity of our inner mind. When our mind is clean and unclouded by desires, the truth of all things will automatically "appear," just as a bright mirror correctly reflects images. Therefore, practicing to maintain a pure mind is the key to unlocking and properly utilizing the power of intuition.

*Compiled from a dharma talk by Venerable Thích Chân Quang.*