Birds in the Heart - Making Friends

Because of the ephemeral nature of all of the various
things in the world, we say that this world is unreal.
Because it is unreal,
not everlasting, and will disappear,
we say that it is "Emptiness."
Affications also bear this characteristic;
they are illusory, temporary, and unsubstantial.
If you contemplate and reflect in this manner often,
gradually, your afflictions will no longer want to befriend you.
"How strange! Why are afflictions unwilling to make friends
with me any more?"
You will then be able to keep company witht he tranquil,
the carefree, and the liberated.
To achieve this state requires repeated effort.
Practice is not done by mere talking.
Do it once, twice, three times; keep going slowly.
After a long time of practice,
you will no longer be consumed by worries and distress.