The Awakening of Spiritual Awareness (10)
Stepping onto the path of cultivation. When faced with adversity, one often hears a saying: You are currently encountering a demonic test or obstruction.
Is there really a demon that obstructs or tests you? Where does this demon come from? If people did not have the word “demon,” this “concept,” this name,
then where do obstacles and tests come from? Most people are familiar with this term, recognize the word, and understand its meaning.
But how many are truly hindered by it? Why is it that when practitioners first step onto the path of cultivation,
demons come to obstruct them? Does this really happen? What does it mean?
The term “demon” has two meanings. One meaning: harboring feelings of unease, anger, greed, and other afflictions in the heart.
Or being trapped in negative emotions (resentment and hatred) for an extended period without liberation; this is called the “demonic heart.”
The second meaning: beings that confuse people and take their lives; evil spirits that obstruct good deeds are referred to as demons. For those who are awakening during their cultivation process,
their minds may be unfocused, thoughts chaotic, emotions irritable, anxious, or depressed. They often feel that many things do not go well for them; it is rare to see things favorably.
It is difficult to maintain a calm and peaceful perspective on matters. There always seems to be a restless energy churning within them. Their physical condition may also be poor, with ongoing symptoms and issues.
They may feel uneasy at night and have trouble sleeping. When near temples or places with heavy negative energy, their bodies will naturally react uncomfortably in varying degrees.
A sense of aversion arises in their hearts; they imagine it as being disturbed by the underworld (demonic obstruction). Is it true that beings from the underworld particularly enjoy disturbing practitioners?
Or could there be other reasons?
If one’s thoughts are steeped in negativity, emotions will naturally respond negatively—resentment, hatred, annoyance, anger, worry, sadness, fear, shock—all these negative emotions.
If one remains trapped in these feelings for too long, negative energy builds up in their body affecting corresponding organs and manifesting various symptoms.
For instance: resentment is toxic; hatred causes heartbreak; anger harms the liver; excessive liver yang can lead to headaches.
Various negative emotions can cause symptoms in corresponding organs. Physical symptoms then affect emotional states.
The mind and body influence each other leading to weakened spiritual energy and chaotic magnetic fields leaning towards negativity. Thus when coming into contact with individuals or environments heavy with negative energy,
one’s body will experience discomfort or adverse reactions. Seeking out the root cause reveals one’s own unwholesome actions—self-righteousness.
Practicing externally while seeking methods leads to clinging to practices without understanding that one’s own mind is the method.
One’s own mind is the path. Wandering aimlessly in practice without finding direction or relying on divine powers
leads to lack of right knowledge and right views—blindly pursuing supernatural abilities while losing touch with one’s own heart,
placing oneself in a state of confusion and anxiety as one’s psyche gradually trends toward darkness.
Negative emotions arise frequently causing continuous reactions within oneself along with doubts and unease due to ignorance about what’s happening.
These negative phenomena are mistakenly believed to be obstacles imposed by spirits; however they stem from an absence of right knowledge
and right views within one’s heart—ignorance gives rise to demonic afflictions which beings from the demonic realm exploit,
attaching themselves to you through your body for their own cultivation purposes,
confusing your heart’s path with demonic practices leading you into evil deeds which ultimately threaten your life.
As ancient wisdom states: “One upright thought dispels a hundred evils.” With righteous energy flowing freely even spirits tremble before it.
A pure heart repels all evils; virtue attracts respect from spirits. Always cultivate good thoughts
nurturing righteous energy within yourself so that demonic influences do not arise—what fear should there be of disturbances from spirits?
by – Teacher Liu Hongming