Practitioners Should Habitually Introspect Their Minds

Thoughts themselves are functions of consciousness and mental factors. To discover thoughts is for consciousness to perceive mental factors; this is introspection. Intelligent individuals should be accustomed to introspection without consciously recognizing it as such. Those habituated to introspection possess self-discipline, enabling self-examination, self-supervision, self-management, and self-improvement. All these processes occur automatically and consciously, requiring no external oversight or supervision. Such individuals are suited for leadership roles, or at the very least, need not be led by others.

Practitioners of Buddhism should be awakened individuals who ought to constantly introspect, turn inward to illuminate their minds, and engage in daily self-reflection. Only then can they gradually correct their faults, renew themselves, and subdue afflictions.

In this way, whether one’s mind is filled more with Buddha-mindfulness or distracting thoughts should be clear. Introspection requires no strenuous effort; the key lies in habit. Cultivating good habits makes the process smooth and natural.

If one is unaccustomed to introspection, one will fail to recognize the unwholesome aspects of one’s physical, verbal, and mental actions. Consequently, one cannot correct, transform, or elevate oneself.