Unclear Thinking Stems from a Lack of Meditative Concentration

Everyone should diligently train their thought process, avoiding significant deviation from the right path. Unclear thinking invariably stems from a deficiency in dhyana (meditative concentration); therefore, one must strive diligently to cultivate dhyana. If one struggles to cultivate dhyana effectively, they should examine themselves: whether they lack sufficient merit (punya), whether their precept observance (sila) is inadequate, whether their habits (vasana) are too deeply ingrained, or whether there are physical hindrances.

Many individuals lack sufficient dhyana; their concentration is weak, their thought process cannot keep pace, and consequently, they cannot achieve decisive understanding (adhimoksha) of many Dharma teachings, finding them incomprehensible. Gradually, their practice falls behind, lagging behind others. Everyone should diligently seek out their own crucial sticking points, identify their own shortcomings and deficiencies. Once identified, they should find ways to improve. Looking back at oneself, identifying shortcomings and filling gaps, is itself a form of diligence (virya).

With even a slight deficiency in concentration power (samadhi-bala), contemplative practice (vipasyana) cannot be carried out effectively. Consequently, what one says lacks evidential support and may not necessarily be the true reality. Therefore, as long as one's own power of contemplative insight (vipasyana-bala) is not sufficiently developed, one should refrain from expressing their views with certainty.