What to Do When You Know but Lack the Power 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 there is no real realization, its strength is insufficient, and meditative concentration and wisdom are not yet complete. Although one has become aware that this world is empty and illusory, because this has not been realized in actual practice, the manas 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 oneself, let go, and no longer cling. Observation and doubt are the initial stages of practice. With time and deepening effort, one will sooner or later come to realize all dharmas, and thereby the mind will become empty, one will distance oneself from all dharmas, and the practice will reach its endpoint.