Signs of Progress in Spiritual Practice

Improper thoughts in the mind should be concealed and avoided being spoken; if inappropriate words—those contrary to truth—are blatantly uttered, it reveals that the afflictions within are extremely heavy, beyond restraint. There exists an inner "self," a belief that "I" am important, that others should submit to me, and that everything should revolve around me. As practice progressively advances, afflictions should gradually diminish, and those improper thoughts within the mind should cease to arise—only then can practice show progress. If this inner "self" is severe, severing the view of self becomes exceptionally difficult.

Practice entails constantly examining and reflecting upon the "self" within one’s own mind, observing whether it diminishes and shrinks day by day, month by month. If it remains as strong and unyielding as before, then the practice is ineffective and has not entered the right path. If severing the view of self feels difficult, then realizing the mind will be even harder, as the merit and various conditions required for realizing the mind are higher, demanding a better disposition of the Bodhisattva. Those with a heavy sense of self find it hard to accumulate merit; a selfless mind corresponds with the Tathagatagarbha, and in the future, the practice of the Bodhisattva path will proceed very rapidly.