Without Relinquishing the View of Self, One Cannot Awaken the Mind

Severing the self-view is the sixth abiding stage; realizing the mind-nature is the seventh abiding stage. Without severing the self-view, one cannot realize the mind-nature. If one claims to realize the mind-nature without having severed the self-view, two selves will manifest simultaneously, leading to deeply entrenched arrogance, and one will inevitably act out in a big way.

If one does not verify the illusory nature of the self composed of the five aggregates, how can one correspond to the state of non-self? To feel corresponding without actual verification is merely the conceit of the conscious mind—groundless and belonging to emotional and intellectual understanding. The delusions of consciousness are precisely manifestations of self-nature. Without understanding oneself and the true reality, one will inflate one's own importance. Many people are like this: having verified nothing, yet believing their mind is empty, free from the four characteristics, perceiving everything as illusory like a dream, on the verge of nirvana, thinking they no longer need to practice precepts with form and can directly cultivate formless precepts of the mind, and so on—quickly becoming puffed up with pride. This is a profound misunderstanding of Buddhist practice and realization.