Compassion and Vows
How can we practice steady belief when difficulty undermines confidence?
English translation draft · Based on the Chinese article. This is not a word-for-word translation approved by Master Shengyuan.
First clarify what you want to accomplish, then practice continuing to seek solutions when difficulty comes rather than quickly giving up. Direction and willingness to work toward it allow conviction to become steadier.
Conviction combines belief with thought. Discussing Fu Mo training, I said a wish to help also requires believing you have ability and remaining willing to find ways through problems. If fear continually pulls your own heart away, it becomes difficult to settle another person and offer hope.
Use reminders such as, “I believe I can help others move away from negative energy and emotional distress.” Remind yourself to persist through difficulty, retain hope, and continue considering solutions. I suggested repeating these words more than ten times daily as training in conviction.
Making a vow also helps by providing direction and clarifying what to do next. Yet action must follow, within your capacity. A great vow without corresponding action is difficult to fulfill.
Continue learning or seek help for what is not yet possible. Fu Mo practitioners need real strength alongside conviction. Forcing an intervention with insufficient strength may fail the recipient and affect the practitioner instead. Build confidence and ability together and work within capacity.