“Our true nature is simple, easy, and gentle, but long ago our mind began twisting itself until it expanded and trapped us in a cocoon. The mind trapped itself—no one else did it to us. Similarly, our own creation of duality has trapped our intelligence, blurred our wisdom, and made things chaotic. Duality mind makes simple things complicated, and complicated things even more complicated.

Wisdom is simple and now we have to come back to that simple state. Because our habitual patterns are so strong and deep, like thick clouds in the sky, we have to clear them away and rediscover our true nature. In order to do this, the teachings say that it’s good to study the Tripitaka, or Three Baskets: the Vinaya, Sutra, and Abhidharma teachings. When we study these three, we learn about morality and conduct, concentration and meditation, and the wisdom of the way things are. When you absorb these into your heart and mind, knowledge comes and opens your wisdom eye.”