Starting Spiritual Practice
Does daily meditation complete the work of spiritual practice?
English translation draft · Based on the Chinese article. This is not a word-for-word translation approved by Master Shengyuan.
Not yet. What you learned and whether you applied its insights also matter. In Sheng Zhen Men, meditation is an introductory exercise for contacting spirituality and settling the mind. Understanding and action follow; it cannot consist only of sitting repeatedly.
When an idea arises in meditation, consider whether it genuinely helps you leave worries and face life, or whether the experience merely feels special. Gradually understand the idea as personal wisdom, then examine whether applying it gives greater clarity and direction.
After benefiting yourself, see whether you can explain and share it clearly to reduce others’ worries. Helping yourself leave suffering and then helping others does put learning into action. Practice needs this continuation, rather than counting meditation hours as completion of everything.