Excerpt from the lecture on November 28, 2025, during the TransformingArt Cycle 1 course with Master Oneness at Lang Yen Retreat, Quang Nam.
Why We Need to Work with the Unconscious
There is a truth that few people realize: 95-98% of people are living in the unconscious. This is the root cause of all the suffering, stress, and emotional fluctuation we experience daily.
What Is the Unconscious and Why Is It Important?
The unconscious consists of the conditioning and automatic patterns that operate in our minds without our awareness. We can easily see the unconsciousness in others, yet we remain blind to our own.
The painful truth: All our erratic emotions, stress, and anxiety originate from this unconsciousness. Stress does not come from the situation itself, but from our attempt to control that situation.
The Foundation: Observing Nature As It Is
Nature does not operate according to what we want or desire. Nature operates according to its inherent flow.
No matter how many books we read or methods we learn, we often forget the most fundamental thing: observe everything as it is. We are merely observers.
When we try to control everything according to our will, we are swimming upstream. The result is a life full of internal conflict and struggle.
Foundational Practice: Observing the Breath
To transition from a state of “seeking” to “surrender,” we must practice observing the breath:
Relax, be loose, and continuously observe the breath.
Do not seek, do not expect, do not judge.
Simply observe.
The breath is the foundation of life. Without the breath, there is no body, no ego. The breath is operated by nature; it is not controlled by any organization, nation, or government.
Natural Wisdom and the Mind
The mind is like a cup, bowl, or jar molded from clay. Wisdom is the essential nature of the clay, which can transform into any shape.
Example: If you label yourself as an introvert, you will hesitate in a crowded place. But when you connect with natural wisdom, you realize the clay can form anything. In a state of flowing with life, no matter who you are, you can respond appropriately.
Natural Wisdom Cannot Be Learned from Books
We cannot learn to swim just by reading books about swimming. Natural wisdom cannot be activated merely by reading books. It is like a good chef—they do not exclude any flavor but always know how to use all the flavors in harmony.
The Ego: The Biggest Barrier
What is the ego? It is the part that always wants to control and adjust everything to its liking, or tries to protect itself like animals.
The ego can help protect us, but it cannot help us grow in natural wisdom. The more control we exert, the more tired and stressed we feel.
Patience: The Decisive Factor
TransformingArt is designed to be done hundreds of times, helping us overcome boredom and transform from impatience to patience.
A real-life experience: Someone successfully fasted for 21 days, but six months later found it difficult to fast for just 3 days. Therefore, never let the mind fall into the state of “I already know.”
TransformingArt: The Path of Practice
There are many valuable spiritual methods such as energy work, chakras, regression, and mantra. But if the foundation is not strong, we are taking a spiritual detour.
The true foundation: Working with our unconsciousness.
TransformingArt combines art and meditation. By allowing spontaneous things to happen, we gradually break down the conditioning in our minds. When the ego and personalization fade away, we become free.
Questions for Self-Examination
Instead of always searching for new, higher knowledge, ask yourself:
Do you have unconditional acceptance yet?
To what extent are you open in mind and heart?
How patient are you instead of impatient?
How much do you embrace instead of running away?
Are you an embodiment of what you already know?
Knowing something is not important. The important thing is whether we are the embodiment of what we already know.
Responsibility to Yourself
Your unconsciousness is your responsibility. Each of us is our own master. The more ready you are, the more you will reap.
When stress arises, you must be the one to find its root cause. Regularly observe what is happening in your mind and seek its origin.
The Final Question
Are we truly honest with ourselves? Are we easily stressed or anxious?
If you do not want to break your unconscious patterns—that’s fine, it is your choice. But realize this: because we have been in the unconscious for too long, overcoming it is very difficult. That is why people continue to live in suffering, and balance and unity are rare.
Money only provides comfort; it cannot bring genuine peace. TransformingArt helps us achieve a state of freedom without needing a lot of money. We are not trying to protect ourselves or talk about material things, but rather flowing with life and connecting from heart to heart. This is the path back to natural wisdom, to life, where we know how to let go, embrace, and connect with one another.
