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This library is based on Master Shengyuan’s personal experiences and reflections on spiritual practice. They may not apply to everyone’s circumstances. It is important to distinguish everyday life from spiritual practice, and science from metaphysical beliefs. Use your own judgment and read with care. If you have questions, you are welcome to discuss them.

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Starting Spiritual Practice

Does joining a spiritual group immediately give you the abilities of a teacher or Fu Mo practitioner?

English translation draft · Based on the Chinese article. This is not a word-for-word translation approved by Master Shengyuan.

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No. Joining a spiritual group means beginning to learn, not having already learned everything required. You need to understand the knowledge, practice the fundamentals, and learn to exercise judgment when situations arise. You cannot assume you can handle everything simply because you have joined.

It is like entering university on your first day: you cannot immediately declare that you have graduated and no longer need to attend classes. A group can offer teaching and support, but you still need to absorb the material and do your own assignments. Joining and receiving protection from the deities does not mean that you already know everything or have nothing to fear.

YOYO has also shared that even as a student and disciple, learning continues every day. Your title may have reached a certain stage, but your actual ability to face situations still needs to develop. So do not ask only how quickly you can acquire many spiritual powers. Also examine why you want to learn and what you currently need to understand and practice. Keep remembering your original aspiration and intention.

I was not a good teacher from the beginning either. I learned and made adjustments gradually by encountering one situation, then another, and then many more. I made mistakes in the past and had ideas that lacked wisdom; I did not get everything right on the first day. Having gone through the process from not knowing to knowing, I can now better understand people who are still learning. Recognizing that you need to grow and being willing to keep doing the work gives your abilities a chance to develop gradually.

If someone says you will receive a hundred thousand spiritual soldiers as soon as you join, you should be especially careful to ask what this means. In my understanding of spiritual practice, support from deities and Dharma protectors is different from possessing a private army that obeys your orders every day. I compare it to the armed forces and police protecting the public: they assist when needed, but this does not mean everyone has a group of bodyguards standing beside them all day.

I also went through a long period of learning and trials before gradually understanding how to connect with the deities. I believe that deities and spiritual soldiers assist me, but I do not use an enormous troop count to prove how powerful I am. Joining first gives you support for learning and faith. You must still continue cultivating your character, strength of aspiration, and abilities.

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