Everyday Life
How should we understand the relationship between tools and their users?
English translation draft · Based on the Chinese article. This is not a word-for-word translation approved by Master Shengyuan.
Tools and users need consideration together. Even capable people may struggle to perform with inadequate tools, while excellent tools do not naturally produce skill without learning and practice. When discussing preparing tools to work well, I use Chinese chess divination as an example: it helps formulate questions and find direction, but understanding and action must follow. A demon-subduing practitioner’s character, virtue, knowledge, and learning are also part of this.
The same mind-body-spirit tool may feel different with another user. Louder sounds and stronger movements do not establish better work. When choosing tools, I also considered ease of learning and room to develop my own characteristics. This was my experience, not a claim that other tools lack value. Understand both a tool’s purpose and the user’s ability and direction, rather than assigning every success and responsibility to one object.