For a while after starting cultivation practice I neglected to truly cultivate myself. Recently however, I have focused on cultivating my mind and looking inward to find the root cause of the problem. Last week this teaching of Master's suddenly came to my mind:

"Lao-zi said, 'When the highest type of men hear the Dao, with diligence they will practice it. When average men hear the Dao, it seems some is kept and some is lost. When the lowest type of men hear the Dao, they laugh at it heartily. If they didn't laugh at it, it wouldn't be the Dao.' For a true cultivator, I'd say it's easy--it's not some impossible mission." (Zhuan Falun)

I wondered, what is practicing with diligence? Do I cultivate with diligence? Suddenly I understood.

We should not behave like everyday people, cultivating some days but not others. In real cultivation we have to cultivate our minds. It doesn't matter how much work we do in everyday people's society--those are superficial things that we will succeed at when we focus on cultivating our minds. A true cultivator always diligently cultivates his mind, and conducts himself properly, by maintaining righteous thoughts and always looking inward, with a calm and compassionate heart. He lives within the Fa every moment.

If people thinks about cultivation as something for filling their leisure time, they won't benefit from the practice. It must be taken seriously.

I looked at myself again and asked, "Why am I cultivating?" My answer was, "I am seeking the absolute truth and want to help sentient beings." So why am I waiting? With Master's help, there will be no barrier between me and truth other than myself. OK, then, I will keep an eye on myself and proceed with my cultivation.

This was my understanding. Please point out anything incorrect to help me improve. Thank you.

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Category: Journeys of Cultivation