Why should spiritual cultivation not focus on pursuing powers?

Spiritual practice should be judged by personal growth, not only acquired powers. Perceptions and abilities may help others, but should not become a halo for yourself. If you begin only to see deities and ghosts or receive applause, the direction of learning can easily go astray.

I discussed a story of the Mother passing down spirit movement. Early help-seekers were ill, and she felt repeatedly prescribing remedies was not a lasting solution. Her spiritual children’s meditation and rising to exercise illustrated the practice’s transmission, emphasizing bodily training and spiritual-energy circulation. “When qi flows, a hundred illnesses do not arise” was that story’s faith expression, not guaranteed immunity or replacement of bodily care.

Spirit movement and cultivation do not inherently lead to losing one’s way. Through long practice I have valued correct understanding, attitude and methods. First learn the principles, obtain appropriate guidance and understand both practice and closing. Then train according to your own condition rather than rush ahead for unusual sensations.

Discussing qi courses, I emphasized understanding cultivation and movement before meditation and exercises. Perceptions may grow, but should aid awareness and avoiding harm, not satisfy desire for powers. I too was learning while trying more concrete uses of spiritual energy. Others’ gains cannot guarantee identical feelings for everyone.

Be particularly attentive to becoming fascinated by being needed and admired. A little success can bring a desire for more applause and more people calling you capable, quietly changing the original learning heart. Teachers’ and fellow practitioners’ reminders matter. When caught inside, you may not see the direction of drift and need someone to help bring you back.

I met someone emphasizing three hundred learned spells who still wanted the heavenly eye opened. Comparing a single decisive technique in martial-arts novels, I asked whether many techniques mean good practice. Ignoring heart, vows, great love and compassion while increasing special abilities easily diverts direction. Greater ease, happiness and actual growth matter more.

I did not begin for spirit communication. Strong qi movement during meditation fascinated me, making me want to understand why bodies responded and what qi and spirit movement were. Later perceptions arose during learning, a different starting point from wanting powers alone.

Practice may awaken spirituality and sensitivity, but is not equivalent to spirit communication. I ask those coming solely for that to clarify why they practice. Film-like powers need not become compulsory goals, nor does ability remove work and everyday responsibilities.

How teachers share also shapes what students pursue. Repeated accounts of visiting Heaven and hell or seeing many past lives direct attention to the teacher’s specialness. Adding “do not become attached” at the end may not undo that display’s encouragement to chase abilities. More useful questions are what those experiences taught and how they help others.

When perception grows stronger, wisdom needs to keep pace. Increasing movement and spiritual sensations without learning to think or adjust yourself is insufficient. Scripture study and understanding divine virtue supplement this learning so wisdom and spiritual practice work together.

Scriptural descriptions of divine abilities may also inspire confidence. Seeing predecessors achieve something can encourage learning, practice and reading sages. Confidence can motivate learning. If only the desire for ability remains and principles are forgotten, that becomes another direction.

I am not asking people to fear every perception or to pursue every one they have. Understand practice principles, notice motives and train earnestly so heart and life grow together. Otherwise a useful path of learning can become pursuit of a halo.

An initial wish does not make you unworthy to practice. Better life, steadier health or curiosity about movement can motivate a beginning. I too wanted to understand responses. The reminder that seeking can become attachment is valid, but I see gradual discernment as a process. Bring questions, learn and reconsider whether special abilities have displaced the original wish to grow.