How to Catch the Affliction Thief

Practitioners who have attained a certain degree of awakening will frequently turn the light around and illuminate themselves, and thereby discover that the "I" deep within their mind always tends to pop its head out. This is a good thing—those without awakening cannot discover it. When you discover this "I" that pops its head out, observe this "I": see where it actually comes from and where it goes, how it arises, how it ceases, how it operates, what its mental activities are like, and what purpose it has. If you observe in this way often, you are bound to make a major discovery.

Those who cultivate in this way should not deliberately suppress themselves; let the afflictions pop their heads out, then seize them and put them on trial. Once you clarify their origins and course, you will gain a great deal. From then on, when eradicating afflictions, do the same: do not deliberately suppress the afflictions; watch where they arise, quickly seize them, and put them through a thorough trial and examination—they can surely be reformed. It is still better to cultivate within the sahā world, for everywhere there are opportunities to capture the thief. As long as you can capture the thief, you can recognize him, and your own family treasure will no longer be lost.