自發性的感恩與慈悲 Spontaneous Gratitude and Compassion
自發性的感恩與慈悲，是由我們自己的身體，包括全身的細胞及組織與器官，和我們的內心，涵蓋情緒、感受等，自動發出的感謝與包容，那是人類生存最高的境界。Spontaneous gratitude and compassion are the thanks and tolerance that are automatically expressed by our own bodies, including the cells, tissues and organs throughout the body, and our hearts, covering emotions and feelings. It is the highest state of human existence.
      首先，讓我們來談一談，什麼是自發性。在賽斯資料中，賽斯的「自發性」，指的是一種「源於內在真實本我」的自然流露，「不受外在制約或恐懼」影響的狀態。它不是混亂或無序，而是「與宇宙和諧一致」，並能自然地「展現出創造力」的本質。自發性來自於我們最真實的自我，而不是我們所受到的社會規範、恐懼或外在期待。這種自發性，不受外在的控制或壓力所影響，它是一種自由的流動，順應內在的指引。自發性是與宇宙的秩序相協調的，它能讓我們與周圍的環境和諧共處，並自然地展現出創造力。當我們處於自發性的狀態時，我們更容易產生新的想法，並將這些想法付諸實踐。再者，自發性並非混亂或無序，而是一種「有秩序的流動」。它是一種內在的秩序，與外在的大自然相協調，並能自發地展現出創造力。總之，賽斯的自發性是一種「內在的力量」，它能幫助我們活出更真實、更有創造力的生活。
First of all, let’s talk about what spontaneity is. In Seth’s materials, Seth’s “spontaneity” refers to a state of natural expression “derived from the inner true self,” and it is “not affected by external constraints or fear.” It is not chaos or disorder, but it is “harmonious with the universe,” and it can naturally “show creativity.” 賽斯提到，魯柏有非常嚴重的關節炎，賽斯說，如果魯柏願意開始信任他自己，在內心對自己說，告訴自己，我願意信任自己，他就會找到生命的出口。我們需要的是信心。第一，我們要有想找到生命出口的渴望。第二，我們要有自己可以找到生命出口的信心，因為信心是所有一切中最重要的。當一個人開始信任自己時，他身體的盔甲就鬆了，而創造的能力就會變得更容易了。所謂的創造力，就是我們可以以一種過去沒有學過，或不知道的方式，來找到問題的解答。因為信任自己，我們才能信任自己的自發性。所謂的自發性，是所有追求心靈最重要的一個特質。當我們每個人都活在頭腦的框架裡，我們就會有越來越多的擔心、恐懼、和顧慮，而我們的生活，也會變成一座牢籠，我們會困在自己的執著裡。賽斯對魯柏說，他對自己的創造性不信任，所以他才會產生精神性及肉體性的屏障，來對抗他的自發性。也就是說，有時候，我們明明很累了，可是我們的頭腦，卻一直告訴我們要繼續堅持，不肯休息。如果我們能順著自己的內心，不要強迫自己，那麼我們的自發性，會自動療癒身心。但是，如果我們永遠不容許自己軟弱、求助，那麼，我們最後就會面臨最大的軟弱。自發性告訴我們，千萬不要太在意別人的看法，社會的價值，甚至父母的眼光。我們的自發性，會有創造力，這些創造力必須被信任。賽斯希望我們去發掘自己內在的、自發性的自我，及創造性的自我。當我們在人生中，越信任自己時，我們就會越勇於改變，而宇宙也會給我們最豐富的回饋。
Seth mentioned that Robert had the very serious arthritis. Seth said that if Robert was willing to start trusting himself and make a voice in his heart, “I am willing to trust myself,” he would find out his way. What we need is confidence. In the very first place, we must have the desire to find out the way of our lives. Then, we should have the confidence that we can find out the way of our lives because confidence is the most important of all. When a person begins to trust himself, his body loosens, and his creativity becomes easier. Creativity means that we can find solutions to problems that we might not have learned or known in the past. Because we trust ourselves, we can trust our spontaneity. Spontaneity has always been the most important quality of all people in the world. When we live in society, we might have worries, fears, and concerns, and our lives would become a cage, trapped in our own obsessions. Seth told Robert that he did not trust his creative nature, so he himself built spiritual and physical barriers to fight against his spontaneity. That is to say, sometimes, we are obviously very tired, but our minds still keep telling us that we need to insist doing things without rest. However, if we can follow our hearts and don’t force ourselves, our spontaneity would automatically heal our bodies and minds. If we never allow ourselves to be weak and ask for help, and then, in the end, we will face the greatest weaknesses in our lives. The so-called spontaneity tells us that we don’t have to care too much about others’ opinions, outside social values, or even the thoughts of our parents. The spontaneity itself creates its life-giving qualities, which have been trusted by us. Seth hopes that we could explore our inner, spontaneous and creative selves. When we trust ourselves more in life, we will be more courageous to change, and, eventually, the universe will give us more abundant feedback.
其次，感恩的背後意涵是：當我們關注自己所擁有的，而不是所缺乏的，我們就擁有滿足感。這種積極的心態，可以帶給我們更大的幸福感，改善人際關係，和增加面對挑戰時的彈性。感恩可以帶來許多好處，包括改善身體的健康，減輕壓力和焦慮，增加積極情緒，和提高睡眠品質等。透過有意識地關注我們所感恩的人事物，我們將從匱乏轉換成擁抱豐盛的人生。實踐感恩的方法有很多，除了寫下所感恩的人事物、冥想或祈禱、主動表達感謝、尋找機會助人等以外，每天早上起床後，我們都要感謝自己的身體；吃飯的時候，我們要感謝食物的美味，和供應者的辛勞；在工作中，我們要感謝同事的合作與支持。每分每秒，都是我們感恩的大好機會。當我們把握每個時刻，活在當下時，我們就會覺得滿足。但是，當事情並非我們所期待的那樣進展時，我們也要心懷感激，時刻感恩，這樣，即使在困難的處境中，我們也能保持平靜。感恩不僅是一種情感，也是我們用時間，所累積培養出來的能力。每天，我們花一點時間，欣賞生命中，大小的祝福。透過感謝，培養感恩，我們就得到快樂。當我們的心靈充滿希望和感動時，我們才有能力，輕鬆地面對生活中的挑戰，實踐感謝、感激和感恩。
Next, the meaning behind gratitude is: when we focus on what we have, rather than what we lack, we feel satisfied. This positive attitude can bring us greater happiness, improve interpersonal relationships, and increase resilience in the face of challenges. Gratitude can bring many benefits, including physical health, reduced stress and anxiety, positive emotions, and good sleep quality. By very consciously paying attention to the people and things we are grateful for, we will transform from thinking we are lacking to embracing a rich life. There are many ways to practice gratitude, such as writing grateful journals, meditating or praying, actively expressing gratitude, and looking for opportunities to help others. In addition, we should thank our health every morning after getting up; when we eat, we thank the delicious food and the hard work of the suppliers; at work, we thank our colleagues for their cooperation and support. In every minute, it is really a great opportunity for us to be grateful. When we seize the moments and live in the present, we grasp the sense of contentment. However, when things do not go as we expect, we even need to be grateful because by doing so, we can remain calm in difficult situations. Gratitude is not only an emotion, but also an ability for us. Every day, we take a moment to appreciate the blessings in our lives. By giving thanks and cultivating gratitude, we gain happiness. When our hearts are filled with hope and love, we are able to face the challenges of life with ease. We, then, express gratitude, appreciation and thankfulness at all times.
最後，人類最基本的願望，就是能夠過幸福的生活。可是，人類的社會，卻處處充斥著與此願望相抗衡，例如暴力、恣意破壞，及剝削人權等。佛法指出，潛藏於人類生命中最邪惡的欲望之一，就是去控制他人。當這種欲望出現時，人類會變得自以為是，且行剝削、獨裁的手段。而能夠抗拒這種人性中迫害他人的力量的，就是慈悲。慈悲以和所有生命和諧共處為目的，祈願大家都能創造共同的幸福和成長。簡而言之，佛法的慈悲，就是為他人解決煩惱，並賦予喜悅的願望（離苦與樂）。慈悲是發自內心，尊重生命平等，達成同甘共苦的大願。慈悲需要智慧。真正的慈悲，是要讓自己安好，也使他人自強的。而要讓自己與他人都能自立自強，我們最需要的，就是智慧，慈悲與智慧是密不可分的。社會的變革，只能始於人心的轉變。我們如能持續相信，和努力發揮自身與他人與生俱來的慈悲，那麼，我們就能使世界，變得更美好。
Finally, the most basic human desire is to live a happy life. However, human society is full of phenomena that conflict with this desire, such as violence, destruction, and exploitation. Buddhism points out that one of the evilest desires hidden in human life is to control others. When this desire arises, humans will become exploitative and dictatorial. The exact power that would really resist this force of persecutions is compassion. Compassion aims to create common happiness and growth as well as live in harmony with everyone in the world. In short, compassion in Buddhism is the desire to solve the troubles of others and give them joy (relieve suffering and bring happiness). Compassion comes from our inner hearts, respecting others and sharing sufferings with one another. Compassion requires wisdom. True compassion can make ourselves safe and others strong. In fact, compassion and wisdom are inseparable. By way of compassion and wisdom, we could achieve the best social changes. We have to believe in and develop the innate compassion in our lives and others in order to make the world a better place.