For this reason, I never ask people to have complete faith in Shih-fu at the start of retreat. Only after the practitioner has experienced some results does he begin to feel that I can help him. At that point, he is willing to follow my instructions. This faith in Shih-fu is extremely important. If you doubt the master, wondering whether he is able or has an ulterior motive, it is impossible to gain genuine results. You should not even bother to practice with him. To have faith in Shih-fu is to have faith in his instructions. It is not that Shih-fu wants you to think of him as a deity, rather you should believe that Shih-fu has the ability and experience to help your practice.

If you are lost at sea or in the desert, you can become as helpless as a baby. So having faith in your Shih-fu is like having a compass to guide you when you are lost. At that time you don't know anything, and if you cling to your own viewpoint and judgement, you will remain lost.

We often say that practice can incite demonic states. These demons do not come from without, they come from within from thoughts that are contradictory, impure, incorrect, leading you to a worse and worse state. Under these circumstances, after practice has borne some fruit, you have an even greater need for complete faith in Shih-fu. Whatever he tells you to do, you should do. If he tells you to take a rest, you cannot say, "I am very energetic now. I want to continue." If he tells you to practice harder, you cannot say, "I'm feeling lousy now I want to rest." It is not that Shih-fu is a dictator, but under these circumstances, his experience tells him what is happening, and he is the only one capable of helping you.