English

Self-Supervision: The Path to Inner Growth

Teachings from Teacher Practitioner Xia Lianju, recorded by the chief writer, Venerable HaiZe.

April 1, 2022

Self-supervision is not merely a task; it is an active, vibrant spirit that resides within you. It is an essential component of your character, a quiet force that nurtures your personal growth and ensures that you maintain a consistent, elevated state of being. It acts as a powerful engine for progress, driving you forward through the challenges of life. When you rely upon this inner strength, you no longer depend on others to push you toward your goals.

The Foundation of Inner Strength

When you cultivate this quality, you become independent and autonomous. You are not easily defeated by the setbacks that life inevitably presents. You develop the resilience to withstand any test, and because of this steadfastness, your learning and practice are far more likely to achieve success.

The Heart of Spiritual Practice

In the context of your spiritual practice, self-supervision is everything. It is the very realisation of your commitment to the path. You must rely entirely on your internal capacity to supervise your own thoughts, words, and deeds. By doing so, you achieve the following:

You fulfil the instructions provided by your teachers, ensuring that your practice is properly adjusted.
You manifest your own sincere effort, which is the necessary condition for receiving the Buddha's .
You reach the ultimate goal of your practice, which is the purification of , mind, and spirit.

The Dangers of the Ego

If your own effort remains hidden or undeveloped, it becomes difficult for the Buddha's blessings to reach you. If you add to this a stubborn personality, negative thoughts, or harmful methods, you are undoubtedly creating a path of regression for yourself. This approach is entirely contrary to the spirit of being active and persistent in your practice. It leads you further away from the state of an awakened being and invites only suffering and karmic consequences. Therefore, all disciples must be extremely cautious in their daily conduct.