How can I recognize sincerity instead of being persuaded only by an image?

First look for genuine care rather than outward actions alone. I value sincerity because a relationship that looks glamorous but lacks real feeling inside can be exhausting to maintain. In our own relationships, we also need to consider whether we honestly face our feelings.

I have seen couples maintain an outward relationship while privately leading separate romantic lives. There may of course be other reasons, so this cannot be generalized. Yet such observations make pure and sincere relationships seem especially precious and rare to me. The 'true' in Sheng Zhen Men's teaching also includes not deceiving ourselves, rather than continually suppressing ourselves into unhappiness.

Judging intention cannot rely only on attendance either. In discussing worship, we mentioned someone physically at a temple but continually scrolling a phone or playing games: present in body, absent in heart. Another person may genuinely have work or important commitments and be unable to attend, yet still keep the deities in mind. Being present both physically and wholeheartedly is best. But when one aspect is absent, understand the actual circumstances instead of judging someone's entire intention from one visible action.