The Fire And The Dharma (Short Film)

I knew that credit card was a mistake. That credit shiffle on YouTube was lying to me. Now I'm just getting more and more in debt. I know. I'll go and play some Flackjack and win the money to pay it back. That's awesome. A mind hungry for quick gains is like a fire that burns but never warms, making your soul cold. Your mind must be empty. Just like I want. Is she laughing because she likes me? Or am I just like a friend to her? Am I still in the friend zone? Oh my gosh, she's so pretty. I have to ask her out before the other guy gets her. Desire is like a moth to a flame, luring it in to a prison of fire, only to burn to ash and replace desire with compassion. What if the teacher realizes I'm not good enough? I can't even sit still without fidgeting. I'm sure he will tell me to leave. Everyone is so much better than me. I bet they all think I'm a fake Buddhist. Maybe I should just give up. Fear is like a flame, dancing in the dark, casting a shadow far greater than reality. Master, I can't do it. I can't meditate. My mind begins to wander as soon as I start. I just have heavy thoughts. Yeah, me neither. Teacher, I feel like this method doesn't work. Oh, you guys too? I thought it was just me. No, it wasn't just you. Throw it into the fire. What did you see? Well, it burned, just as expected. Go deeper. Tell me everything you saw. Well, first of all nothing happened, but then there was some smoke, and then a crackling sound, and then some flames, and then some bigger flames, and then the wood combusted, and then ash. What else did you see? I see the fire created light and warmth. It was beautiful watching it transform. The answer to all your troubles lies in what you just described. Wait, teacher, how? At first, you sit, but your mind races, stampedes, but then a flicker, a spark of the Dharma, a flame of understanding that grows steady with your growth. And the ashes? The ashes are your attachments, the karma, your desires, everything you leave behind on your way to enlightenment. But teacher, how about the crackling sounds? The hardship of cultivation, the pain pops, breaking the chains that bind you to this world. And master, what about the smoke? Wisdom that ascends with your spirit to the heavens, to your true home. I see, I need to endure, let go of what's not needed, and allow my wisdom to rise. I think I understand now. Teacher, master, how about the light? The light of the Dharma expels all darkness, just as this fire brings light even in the darkest of nights. Master, what about the warmth? Compassion. It warms all beings, melting the ice from their hearts so they may return to goodness. Master, I understand. I understand. It really is like ice melting. I know I can do it. Even the sun cannot match the brilliance of the Buddha light. Do not bow to me, bow to the Dharma.