How to Capture the Thief of Afflictions

Practitioners who have attained a certain degree of awakening frequently turn the light inward and reflect back upon themselves, and thereby can discover that the "self" deep within their mind is always trying to poke its head out. This is a good thing—those without awakening cannot discover it. When you discover this self that pokes its head out, observe this self: 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 major discoveries.

For those who cultivate in this way, do not deliberately suppress yourself. Let the afflictions poke their heads out, then seize them and put them on trial, getting a clear picture of where they come from and where they go—this will bring great gains. From now on, when eliminating afflictions, proceed in the same way: 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. Cultivation is still best carried out within this 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 household treasure will no longer be lost.