Those who have read up to this point may get the feeling that the freedom and independence that comes from having a “mind that does not abide in anything” means just living a free and easy life; that we can do whatever we feel like doing while being relaxed and carefree, without any need to manage our time.

But that is not the case. For myself, whenever I do something, I do pre-event planning and use my spare time in a suitable manner. When I have appointments with other people, I make sure to account for any errors in timing into the trip. Why? Because keeping my word is more precious than time. Excuses such as being busy or not having enough time should not be used to leave others waiting too long. It often happens that I am already sitting patiently in the car while my disciples who are accompanying me are scattered about, delaying the trip. I’ve said to them many times, half as a reprimand and half in jest, “I’m spending my whole life waiting like this!”

 

When I need to tape something for a television broadcast, I am always well prepared beforehand, regardless of whether the episode is five minutes or eight minutes long. I work out the opening, expansion, development, and conclusion for each topic, and when I finish speaking my timing is never off by more than fifteen seconds. I have never flubbed a scene. The tape can always be broadcast as is without any editing.

Time management is how we cherish our own life. For people who manage their time and use it well, their time is spiritual time. When people do not manage their time well, their time ends up merely being the time as marked by clocks and watches.

Source: Hsing Yun. Four Insights for Finding Fulfillment: A Practical Guide to the Buddha’s Diamond Sutra. Los Angeles: Buddha’s Light Publishing, 2012.