This article is written for those who are already on the path of cultivation. Ordinary people who have not yet entered the practice should first read my other article written specifically for beginners.
The field of cultivation is vast. Here, I will mainly share my personal insights and experiences on the path of cultivation and the state of enlightenment. Other goals of practice are beyond the scope of this article.
The state of enlightenment described here is the same as that found in books such as The Tao Te Ching, The Diamond Sutra, and Zhuangzi. In another article, I describe in detail my own experience after attaining the Dao.
In the past, while I was still walking the path of cultivation, I used to envy those who had already attained enlightenment—whether they were people from ancient times, modern times, or even beings from myths and dreams. But after enlightenment, I realized it is simply as it is. Looking back, I can now see that most of the so-called “methods,” “tutorials,” and “mystical experiences” along the way were illusions.
The method of cultivation can be summarized as three essential elements: Goal + Theory + Practice. Beyond that, the rest is up to destiny. Cultivation depends on yourself, but whether you can truly attain enlightenment depends on whether your fate in this lifetime has arranged it. Why do I say this? Because I feel that enlightenment is largely influenced by destiny. The higher your state, the more you will sense the workings of fate.
If enlightenment is destined for you in this life, you will inevitably be drawn to the path of cultivation — and you will inevitably come across this very article. On the other hand, if it is not destined, your cultivation may not lead to enlightenment, but it will still give you peace of mind, a broader awareness, and a higher level of understanding from which to view life and humanity.
Setting the right goal is crucial. In cultivation, your goal should be of the highest order: to realize that you are the world itself, that you are the Dao, that you are divine. The world exists because of you, and you exist within it. Avoid seeking worldly rewards or spiritual powers. Whether you desire material gains or mental fulfillment, they are all illusions. Similarly, praying to gods, Buddhas, or so-called masters is useless. Such external seeking only delays your progress toward enlightenment—though, perhaps, even that detour is part of your destined path.
Theory refers to the writings and teachings of others — the scriptures, books, and articles, including my own. They are meant to guide you onto the correct path and help you feel the essence behind the words. For example, reading The Tao Te Ching, The Diamond Sutra, or Zhuangzi is not about memorizing the text; it is about sensing the state of being that the writings express. Every stage of progress in cultivation can be found and recognized within these texts.
Practice consists mainly of two methods: sitting meditation and out-of-body experience. Meditation and contemplation are essentially the same — the goal is for your inner consciousness to detach from the physical body and brain, to observe your body and thoughts, to witness other realms, and to perceive what does not exist in ordinary reality. When meditation deepens into true stillness, a new perspective arises. Through this, you gain confidence in your practice and feel increasing peace. This meditative inner state usually lasts only while in deep stillness; once you stop meditating, it fades, leaving only the memory of it. I call this the “false inner mind.” It is different from the “true inner mind” that arises after enlightenment, which exists constantly — even when not meditating.
Out-of-body experience is another way to observe other worlds and feel different states of consciousness. It differs from meditation, yet it shares similarities with the true inner mind experienced after enlightenment. Out-of-body experience is relatively passive, but the length and clarity of these experiences can indicate your progress in cultivation. The longer you remain in that state, the deeper your practice has become. Even after enlightenment, I still experience out-of-body journeys — often from the state of an enlightened being. It feels like a continuation of cultivation in another world.
About the place of practice: I cultivated entirely at home, not in remote mountains. Practicing in a city exposes you constantly to negative influences, yet progress can come quickly. In the mountains, the peace and stillness make practice easier, but if you leave that environment and return to the city before enlightenment, worldly distractions can hinder you greatly. If you can spend your life in the mountains, or stay until enlightenment, then go there. If not, practice quietly in the city. I attained enlightenment through a series of coincidences — after more than ten years of practice, and especially during the pandemic, when I lived quietly and cultivated for about half a year. A calm and peaceful environment indeed helps.
In summary, the method of cultivation is simple: Goal + Theory + Practice. After that, leave the rest to destiny.
Only after enlightenment did I truly understand this: To break through cultivation itself is to attain the Dao. I broke through cultivation only after enlightenment. Before that, I had to keep striving toward enlightenment. Thus, one must both cultivate and break cultivation — a paradox. Don’t overthink this line.
The saying “The Great Way is simple” is absolutely true. Cultivation is simple; enlightenment is simple. In essence, it can be expressed in one sentence: Breaking through cultivation itself is enlightenment. (Though in truth, this line is meaningless to those still on the path — one cannot break cultivation before enlightenment. Yet once you have attained it, the breaking happens naturally. It is enough that you understand this principle.)
Edited on August 17, 2021