什麼是真正的修持？
世界上不同的精神傳統中都存在著某種形式的對神的信仰，我們向神表達自己的崇拜和敬仰。這些神祗或者有著切實的物質形態，或者只是一種抽象的能量形式。似乎大部分的精神傳統都會有它們特別的一套神聖的、可供禱告的儀軌或者經文。藏傳佛教中，也有著大量的經文、儀軌，經由諸多偉大的精神導師一直傳承下來，他們為我們留下了經典和儀軌，讓我們去學習和祈禱。
In all the various spiritual traditions of the world there exists some belief in some form of divinity to whom we express our adoration. This divinity may be in a tangible physical form or a more abstract energy form. It also seems that in most spiritual traditions there is a particular set of texts or scriptures which are honoured and offered prayer. In Tibetan Buddhism there are a large number of scriptural texts that have come down through various spiritual beings who have left them for us to study and supplicate.
既然在宗教取向上我們都是一致的，我們應該謹記在心的是，我們在精神上的修持應該對我們產生積極和美好的影響。雖然通常，我們的確投入了大量的精力修行，但卻只是在外相上看上去很神聖而已。更有甚者，歷經多年這些修持都只是影響了我們的外相，卻沒有對我們的心靈產生真正的影響。我們不應該被這些外相所矇騙，事實上外相之下缺乏真正的智慧的增長。
Given that we are all equal in our spiritual inclination, we should bear in mind that our spiritual practices should have impacted on us in a positive and good way. Often though, it seems that we are just spiritual in our outer appearance and the amount of energy that we actually put into our spiritual practices. Further, over the years it still seems to be in outer appearance rather than having really made some impact on our minds. We shouldn』t be deceived by these outer expressions that are in fact devoid of true intellectual development.
有時候，我們外在的修持的確是真實的。通常由于一些特別的外部環境或者外緣，我們會比其它時候更有宗教傾向。但無論如何，如果我們一直在等待有利的環境來激發我們的神聖行為，我們又怎麼能夠期望會真的變得神聖呢？如果只是一天幾個小時的修行，還要視乎外緣如何，那些修持的利益又怎麼能夠深植于內呢？
Sometimes its true that our external practices are real. Often due to exceptional outer circumstances or external conditions that we are more spiritually inclines than at other times. However, if we are always waiting for favourable circumstances to trigger our spiritual behaviour then how can we ever expect to become truly spiritual? If its just a couple of hours a day and due to external conditions, how can the spiritual values become deeply embedded?
當我們討論到精神修持，它應該是指生活中各個方面的神聖而有益的修持。我們的整個生命，每一天都變得日漸殊勝，我們的心態在日常生活中，自然而然會漸漸變得更健康。
When we talk about engaging in spiritual practices, it should mean that is serves spiritual and beneficial practices in all areas of our lives. Our whole being becomes spiritual everyday and our mind』s outlook becomes naturally wholesome continuously on a daily basis.
有一點很重要，應該謹記于心的是：如果只是等待著一些殊勝的環境出現，然後在這種魅惑之下，做某些所謂神聖的行為，這樣就好比是沉迷于酒精的狀態–當事情變得糟糕，一個人開始喝酒，在酒精的影響下憂慮和麻煩都止息了，但是當酒精的影響一旦消失，平常的真實狀況又再一次地出現–這就像是在等待殊勝情況的發生。因此最好能夠保證持續的修行，這樣才能夠在心靈的覺悟和調伏上，帶來持續性的進步。精神的修持不應該是偶爾而短暫的。你們的修行應該是負責的、可靠的，如此心靈才可以變得穩定，充滿仁愛、慈悲和寧靜。
It is important to bear in mind that simply waiting for spiritual circumstances to arise and then, under it』s spell, doing certain spiritual activities, is likened to indulging in substances such as alcohol etc. When things get rough one drinks, then, under the sway of alcohol the cares and troubles cease but when the effect wares off then once again the daily reality reveals itself. This is like waiting for special circumstances to arise. It would be better to maintain your spiritual practices continuously so that there will be constant progress in the mind of awakening and in taming the mind. Spiritual practice shouldn』t just be once in a while. Your spiritual practice should be accountable and reliable so that the mind becomes stable in the qualities of love, compassion and tranquility.
為了使生命變得全然殊勝，你需要把修行變成一個持續的習慣，每日都堅持，尤其是在面臨諸多障難和干擾生起時。
In order for one』s life to become completely spiritual you need to make a constant habit of spiritual practice, maintaining it daily and especially in the face of the numerous obstacles and hinderances that arise.
我們在修行道路上的主要障難就是：我們相信一種幻相，過于強調我們此生行為的重要性。我們的思想受到這樣的禁錮，因而看不到有其他的選擇。任何與此不同的觀點對我們完全沒有作用。
The main hinderance on our path is the reliance we place in the illusion of the importance of the activities of this life. We are so locked into this way of thinking that we find it almost impossible to see any other alternatives. Any other view cannot even make a strike!
過去所有偉大的上師都曾同出一辭地告訴我們：除非我們能完全地放棄這個幻相，認識到此生的虛幻，我們才能真正認識到佛法的真相。放棄幻相之前，我們無從看到佛法的真相。
In the past all the great masters in one voice used to say that until we』ve given up the illusion of the reality of the futility of this life totally then we can』t really turn our minds to the reality of the Dharma. The Dharma until then is completely oblivious to such people.
但是一開始，我們仍然需要變得非常務實，並盡我們的最大努力進入道。我們慢慢地開始，系統地通過增加越來越多的修行，而逐漸減少世俗的事務。
Initially though, we need to become very realistic and enter the path as best we can. We start by slowly and systematically compromising the activities of this life with more and more spiritual practicies.
同樣的，考慮到我們對此生幻相一貫的執著，如果我們試圖一次將所有東西通通拋棄，並不見得會為我們的未來帶來很好的結果。因此我們需要圓融地處理，每次放棄一點世俗需求，慢慢逐漸地、持續地在我們的日常生活中加入精神元素。
In the same line, given our habitual pattern of clinging to the illusion of this life, if we try to renounce everything all together and at once then it probably won』t work out well for our future. We need therefore, to strike a compromise and give up a little at a time thereby integrating truly spiritual elements slowly, gradually and consistently into our day-to-day lives.
為了在我們的生命中鋪下真正的修行之路，我們必須在當下就非常明確：無論我們從事哪一類世俗行為，它們都無法帶來任何長久或者究竟的快樂。這就是修行背後顯著的本質和意義。我們說真正無偽的修行，不應是隨大流之所為，當一個人知道是什麼促使他承擔起修行的責任時，真正無偽的修行應該是一種全然的喜悅。修行的基礎，就是破除對此生幻相的執著——所以，破除它吧！
In paving the way for true spiritual practice to take place in our lives, we need to be very clear right now that no matter what or in the name of any worldly activity, it can never bring any long lasting or substantial happiness. This is the striking reality and meaning behind embarking on spiritual practice. This, so called genuine practice, is not just going along with the flock but generates utter joy because one knows whats impelling one into undertaking genuine spiritual practice. The basis then, is breaking through the fixation on the illusion of this life……so break through!