Signs of Progress in Spiritual Practice

When improper thoughts arise in the mind, they should be concealed and avoided being spoken; if inappropriate words—those stemming from unwholesome mental states—are instead spoken blatantly, it indicates that the inner afflictions are extremely heavy, beyond restraint. This reveals a strong sense of self, a belief that "I" am important, that others should submit to me, and that everything should revolve around me. As spiritual practice progressively deepens, afflictions should gradually diminish, and those improper thoughts within the mind should cease to arise. Only then can there be genuine progress in cultivation. If this sense of "I" within the mind is severe, breaking the view of self becomes exceedingly difficult.

Spiritual practice requires constantly examining and reflecting upon the "I" within one's own mind, observing whether it diminishes and shrinks day by day, month by month. If it remains as robust and unyielding as before, then the practice has not gained strength and has not entered the right path. If breaking the view of self feels very difficult, then realizing the Mind is even more challenging, as the realization of the Mind demands greater merit, virtues, and conditions from all aspects, requiring a more refined Bodhisattva nature. Those with a heavy sense of self find it hard to accumulate merit and virtues; a selfless mind resonates with Tathagatagarbha, enabling swift progress in the Bodhisattva path in the future.