(Minghui.org) When one cultivates, should we look at the process as a human being ascending upward or a divine being returning to its origin? I believe how we understand this question also determines our attitude while passing tests in cultivation.

When faced with tribulations, cultivators with human hearts will have a hard time overcoming them. If the corresponding human attachments are not removed, it will be difficult to make any progress in cultivation. Furthermore, if we treat ourselves as human beings, we may subconsciously take the human attachments as part of ourselves, which would make it even harder to remove them.

When we are cultivating, it is a process of changing from human thoughts to divine thoughts. If we can see through the complicated process and recognize at the very outset that the human thoughts aren’t us, it would be much easier to remove the root cause of the issue and pass the test quickly.

In other words, if we take ourselves as divine beings who are returning to our original, true selves, we start from a high point and the entire cultivation process becomes one for us to cleanse ourselves and eliminate all impurities. The starting point becomes the critical moment for us to see through the delusion and spell of the human world.

Having such an understanding also helps us to hold high requirements and standards for ourselves, instead of treating ourselves as common people who simply want to achieve some spiritual aspiration.

Editor’s note: This article only represents the author’s understanding in their current cultivation state meant for sharing among practitioners so that we can “Compare in studying, compare in cultivating.” (“Solid Cultivation,” Hong Yin)