Shifu shared many practical Buddhist teachings and invited us to ask questions. Seizing this opportunity, I shared my challenge of dealing with my 93-year-old mother-in-law, whose overly critical and controlling personality has intensified with age. She consistently overwhelmed me with complaints, accused me of not doing things her way, and left me eager to escape her presence. My instinct is to minimize future visits, but this common approach only left her even more desperate and clingy when I do come by.

Shifu suggested that I start by reviewing her situation with empathy. As people age, their mental and cognitive functions deteriorate, leaving them fearful and confused. In these situations, don’t take their criticism personally. By having the right understanding, it’s easier to keep my ego in check and brush aside any negative reactions.

Furthermore, expecting my mother-in-law to behave the way I want is unrealistic. This delusional thinking will only lead to mutual suffering. Instead, I should accept the present situation and leave behind my own expectations. Perhaps her string of complaints is her attempt to prolong my stay; maybe I can redirect her with humorous stories and fun activities. Only when I pause and gain neutrality and clarity on the situation can I find the right path forward.

Shifu taught me that while I cannot control her behavior, I can choose how I react. By being mindful of my feelings and thoughts, I can find the right view and avoid succumbing to anger and frustration. Only by mastering my own mind can I change our unhealthy interaction and find a harmonious path forward. Instead of a miserable burden, I now have a great opportunity to practice Shifu’s teachings and grow.

?? 我我於2023年初，長期失眠造成了身體與情緒幾近崩潰。由此，對佛法也產生了懷疑：為何十餘年的精進用功，仍使我陷入失控？佛法不是說"能度一切苦厄"嗎？佛法真的能幫助到我嗎？

恰逢此時，我在網上接觸到了見護師父《金剛經聞思修》的前五講。見護師父的開示讓我耳目一新。進而系統地反覆聆聽了《金剛經聞思修》與《大智度論》。見護師父的開示，於理上：清?，透徹。於事上：有方法，見效快。

按照師父的教導，我將佛法運用到「失眠的煩惱」：睡與醒皆為空性。但緣起不同，果報不一。忘失了「空性」，執著於「要睡好，要睡夠」，正是導致我失眠的見思惑。沉迷於一定要有足夠的、好的睡眠，正是我失眠的根源，越執著，越煩惱，更加難以入睡。如此惡性循環，問題日益嚴重。見護師父還曾提到，凡夫的「貪」，對於吃與睡是最執著的。我的失眠煩惱不正是如此嗎？

運用此理，睡與醒皆為空，只是緣起的不同。a，該睡時（累了困了）自然會入睡。b，睡不著時，此時身心並無睡眠所需，可背誦經文並深入思維。c，總結：睡眠也是性空緣起，不執著，勿煩惱，讓睡眠隨緣而行。

由此，情況出現了反轉：a，先是不能入睡時，身心放鬆了些許，不再如前那樣的緊張、焦慮，白天時精神狀態改善了許多，令我欣喜。b，隨著時間的推移，漸漸的睡眠的基本時間有所保障了，睡眠的品質有所改善了，身心的狀態越來越鬆弛了。目前，改善還在持續中。未來，有信心會越來越好！