What to Do When You Know but Lack the Strength to Put It into Practice

Answer: This is the manas silently observing and contemplating the world as a whole, thereby giving rise to doubt and wanting to investigate the true appearance of the world. However, because its strength is insufficient and meditative concentration (samādhi) and wisdom are not yet complete, although it has become aware of the emptiness and illusoriness of this world, it cannot yet realize this directly, and so it cannot break through this world, nor can it abandon and distance itself from this world. At this time, one should continue observing, continue cultivating precepts, meditative concentration, and wisdom, and continue preparing the various provisions for seeing the path. Once the causal conditions for seeing the path are gradually brought to completion, one will be able to distance oneself and let go, no longer clinging. Observation and doubt are the initial stage of practice; with prolonged effort and deepening practice, one will sooner or later come to directly realize all dharmas and thereby reach the destination.