The Connection Between Hearts and Minds

~Part Four from 《The Six Paramitas 》

(The Six Perfections)

　

There is an old Chinese saying that goes like this: What makes friendship valuable is the connection between hearts and minds. Based on the fact that it is not easy to have friends who can read your heart and mind, we know how precious this can be. On the path of cultivation, the connection of hearts and minds between masters and students is very important. It is only when masters and students can communicate their thoughts and ideas that the knowledge of masters can be transferred to students. This is what is meant by the phrase connection between hearts and minds. Thus, regardless of whether you are making friends or obtaining an education, the connection between hearts and minds is very important. How do we go about connecting our hearts and minds with our parents, teachers, and friends?

1. Establish common understanding.
   When we have common understanding, we can walk through life in unison. We can work toward the same goal and make progress together.
2. Establish common ground in ways of thinking.
   Many problems arise when we are divergent in our ways of thinking. It is very important to     establish common ground in our ways of thinking.
3. Rely on each other in spirit.
   As long as two people have the opportunity to meet and become friends, they should also rely on each other in spirit.
4. Share both joy and sorrow.
   We should be able to share the comforts and hardships in our lives. During hard times, we should support and encourage each other.
5. Remain loyal to each other even in the face of death.
   Even when we are confronted with life and death decisions, we should not betray our friends for our own benefit or gain. We should remain loyal to each other.
6. Go through times of honor and disgrace together.
   We should share the joys of glory as well as shoulder the burdens of disgrace. We should commit to each other forever.
7. Develop tacit understanding.
   When we interact with our friends, we will gradually develop tacit understanding with them. This way our friendships will be strengthened.
8. Make no distinctions between self and other.
   We should try to treat others as we would ourselves, as if they are not separate from us. If we eradicate the duality of self and other, there is no distinction between ourselves and our friends. In this way, we can be united in heart and mind.

Regardless of whether we are making friends or connecting our hearts and minds with our teachers, we should:
1. Establish common understanding.
2. Establish common ground in our ways of thinking.
3. Rely on each other in spirit.
4. Share both joy and sorrow.
5. Remain loyal to each other even in the face of death.
6. Go through times of honor and disgrace together.
7. Develop tacit understanding.
8. Make no distinctions between self and other.