The world is
full of half-enlightened masters.
Overly clever, too “sensitive” to live in the real
world, they surround themselves with selfish pleasures and
bestow their grandiose teachings upon the unwary. Prematurely
publicizing themselves, intent upon reaching some spiritual
climax, they constantly sacrifice the truth and deviate
from the Tao. What they really offer
the world is their own
confusion.
The true master
understands that enlightenment
is not the end, but the means. Realizing that
virtue is her goal, she accepts the long and
often arduous cultivation that is
necessary to attain
it.
She doesn’t
scheme to become a leader,
but quietly shoulders whatever
responsibilities fall to her. Unattached
to her accomplishments, taking credit for
nothing at all, she guides the whole world by
guiding the individuals who come to her. She
shares her divine energy with her students,
encouraging them, creating trials to
strengthen them, scolding them to
awaken them, directing the
streams of their lives
toward the infinite
ocean of the
Tao.
If you
aspire to this
sort of mastery, then
root yourself in the Tao.
Relinquish your negative habits
and attitudes. Strengthen your sincerity.
Live in the real world, and extend your virtue
to it without discrimination in the daily round.
Be the truest father or mother, the truest brother
or sister, the truest friend, and the truest disciple.
Humbly respect and serve your teacher, and
dedicate your entire being unwaveringly
to self-cultivation. Then you will surely
achieve self-mastery and be able
to help others in doing
the same.
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