What to Do When You Know but Lack the Power to Act?

Question: When the mind is relatively pure, quietly observing the whole world, many times a doubt suddenly arises within: What is this world really about? What exactly is it? Then one wants to distance oneself from the world, but cannot do so. What should one do at this point?

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 power is insufficient and meditative concentration 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 thus 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 fulfilled, one will be able to distance and let go, no longer clinging. Observation and doubt are the initial stage of practice; with time and deepening effort, one will sooner or later directly realize all dharmas and thereby reach the endpoint.