Beginning practitioners should not entertain romantic notions of running off to the mountains to practice in seclusion. There are many dangers in this. If you do not know which plants are for food and medicine, you may end up starving, or poisoning yourself. If you are not used to outdoor living, you may be unprepared for changes in weather as days and seasons pass. Many practitioners in China practiced in the southern part of the country, where it does not get too cold in the winter. Taiwan is an island off the southern coast of mainland China, and it snows only on the highest peaks. The mountains of Taiwan are a good place to practice.

Great practitioners, however, do not worry about the weather. They just practice. Milarepa lived in a harsh climate, yet, he was content. A great practitioner is happy and content because he has no attachments. He is a master of himself because he has realized he has no self. He is a master in all situations because nothing belongs to him. Because of this attitude, everything becomes his.

After enlightenment no need for further effort;
All dharmas of activity are varied.
Giving alms with attachment bestows merit for heavenly birth,
Like shooting an arrow into space.


There are two aspects of practice: cultivating wisdom, or insight, and cultivating merit. Ordinary people think that cultivating wisdom means accumulating knowledge in the conventional sense, such as reading books and reaping life experiences. They think cultivating merit means giving alms, offering donations, or helping others.