A serious cultivator of Tao of Heaven, is always fills with spiritual tests and these tests are in the form of troubles and obstacles. The obstacles are actually either created by Asura Demon whose duties is to test on the creditability of the cultivator or created by the ghosts whom the cultivator is indebted.

The testings of Asura Demon include the creation of trouble and disruption that is able to deviate one's interest and attention to commit an act that is against the law of Tao cultivation. Clear thinking, understanding and tolerance have to be when one encountered such a situation because it is merely a test with which one have to pass in order to achieve a higher state of personal advancement in the cultivation. Examples of such a test are the creation of family quarrels, works disruption, sickness, accidents, time scarcity, temptation and teachings of adulterated ideas by false religions teachers.

Ghosts whom the cultivator is indebted may come to find him at this stage to hinder his progress in cultivation. Why must Tao cultivator in this stage be given the test? It is stated by Heaven that ordinary person without Tao cultivation is just like a penniless beggar who owed others a lot of debts. Since he owes others money, they would not find him to return it because he is already broke. Similarly just like a banker asking a bankrupt to pay up will not be fruitful. However a person who is keeping and cultivating Tao is just like earning more and more money and as such his creditors are likely to bounce on him for their debts. Through patience and tolerance, one's debts shall be steadily be cleared and the excess merit shall represent light rays for his body's halo.

Rules and regulations must be carefully observed so that demons shall have no chance to demoralize us to commit evil deeds which will result in our downfalls. Concentrate on the principles and not to deviate the path of the cultivation otherwise it can lead to one's failure. Cultivation is to sacrifice our time, money, energy, status and position. Humbleness is very important in the cultivation and a Tao cultivator is said sometimes to face thousands demons and millions spiritual tests.

Lao Tzu taught us to be calm and firm no matter what the turmoil outside is. The external may look dull but the inside is bright. Just like in the ocean or a cyclone, it is the mid-point that is the most peaceful although the surrounding engulfed is turbulent or even disastrous. One should neither go to the extreme behavior of happiness, anger, sadness, love, ferocity and craze nor attracted by sensual pleasures of color, sound, smell, hearing, touch and fashion trend. Neutrality and simplicity is the main criteria for a peaceful mind to overcome all trials by Asura Demon.

Along the way of spiritual cultivation, it is said that we have to endure a lot of hardships. This is what my Heavenly Teacher JiGong said about endurance, "Disciples! Do you know whether endurance is advantageous to cultivation of Tao? Endurance is the skill of the worthy persons. Those who have not reached the true Tao still need to endure. Yet for those who have attained the true Tao, there is no need to endure. When there is no prejudice in the mind, there is no need to endure. As when one is natural and does not generate the views of being holy or common, and if one's mind is calm and peaceful, then there is no need to endure. This is the 'naturalness' of Buddha; this is not what common people can compete with. The word Endurance (Ren in Chinese) is a knife stabbing into the heart. How painful that is! In cultivation, if one can reach the state of 'not needing to endure and having no hatred or resentment,' the mind would naturally be calm and peaceful."

Author: T.A Chew