What to Do When Knowing but Lacking the Strength to Practice

Question: When the mind is relatively clear and pure, quietly observing the entire world, a doubt often suddenly arises: What exactly is this world? What is it truly? Then there arises a desire to distance oneself from the world, yet it feels unattainable. What should one do at such a time?

Answer: This is the mental faculty silently observing and contemplating the world as a whole, subsequently giving rise to doubt and a desire to investigate the true nature of the world. However, due to insufficient strength and undeveloped concentration and wisdom, although one perceives the illusory nature of this world, one cannot yet realize it experientially. Thus, one cannot break through this world, nor can one abandon or distance oneself from it. At this stage, one should continue to observe, continue to cultivate precepts, concentration, and wisdom, and continue to gather the necessary provisions for realizing the truth. Gradually, when the causes and conditions for realizing the truth are sufficiently prepared, one will be able to achieve distancing and relinquishment, attaining non-attachment. Observation and doubt are the initial stages of practice. With persistent effort over time, one will eventually realize all phenomena experientially, thereby reaching the ultimate goal.