When you are troubled by deluded thoughts 妄心

Deluded thoughts cloud our spirit. Image from Shutterstock.

Here is a Taoist teaching that offers us a way to free ourselves from deluded thinking:

Do not stir up deluded thoughts. When these thoughts come up, it’s natural to get caught in them—but holding on to them can lead to worry and struggle. Because we experience the world through our senses—what we see, hear, smell, taste, touch, and think—it’s easy to become wrapped up in the outside world and start believing things that aren’t truly real. We tend to mistake the false for the true, and letting go can be difficult. When your thoughts keep turning and your heart can’t find peace, how can you not feel trapped inside?

So, how can you find calm and clear away these deluded thoughts? The answer is to see through delusion. This awakening doesn't have a name or a form. It arises quietly, from the deep well of wisdom within—the true nature that lives in each of us. Only by awakening can we be free from the grip of delusion.

人不可起妄心，此心一起定有執著，一旦執著心起煩惱不斷。世人都因眼耳鼻舌身意作用，攀著下方起妄心，總認假為真不捨放下，如此輾轉心靈不靜不寧怎能不被束縛。如何淨化斷除妄心那定要覺，這個覺無名無相，其源出智慧本性，破除唯有覺字而己。

Here is the first part of the scripture.

When we cling to a fixed idea, the heart and mind become entangled. This quiet grip can lead to pain and unrest. In a moment of awareness, we may see that we are not free. But freedom begins the moment we soften, purify the heart, and gently let go.

It helps to reflect: What thoughts have you held too tightly? What are you still carrying? When you see how they stir your suffering, release becomes easier. And in letting go, you return to the quiet strength within—untouched by the illusions that once held you.

如像一個人在執著某件事情上，心靈總是執著在這件事，心起痛苦煩惱，這個當下自覺自己受困其中，故而淨化己心放下執著那件事，此就能破除。

世人應自我反省，人生過程您起了什麼妄心，又執著了什麼？只要自我覺悟那些讓您感到煩惱困苦，放得下這些困擾心靈事，自可跳脫不再受到妄心作用影響。

Scripture by Sage Lord Taibai 太白星君慈訓

This is a humble attempt at the translation. The source for this scripture is here.