Regarding the issue of apprenticeship

There are always some friends inquiring about how to become a teacher, how to enter the Tao, and how to learn Taoist spells. Most of them are curious, for example, after watching several Taoist exorcism movies and reading several Taoist novels, they fantasize about being able to fly over roofs and walls, know how to calculate, search for their masters everywhere, yearn to learn Taoist magic, transform themselves, and embark on the pinnacle of life where they know astronomy and geography.

The Taoist said that life is a place of practice everywhere. Making contributions in society is more meaningful than reciting scriptures and reading texts. Having the Tao in one’s heart, cultivating oneself in life, restraining oneself, having heaven and earth in one’s heart, and having the Heavenly Sovereign in one’s heart will surpass everything.

For the Southern faction, Zhang Boduan was a small staff member who worked as a staff member while practicing Taoism; Shi Xinglin was a traditional Chinese medicine doctor who treated people while practicing Taoism. Later, he became a tailor and was still working as a tailor when he was in his eighties. It was not until he met Xue Daoguang and passed on the teachings that he completely retired; Chen Nan, the fourth ancestor, was a bucket maker. These famous immortals in history were able to do what appears to be ordinary or very shameful work today. Why don’t today’s Taoist scholars find a job to support themselves and their parents? Filial piety is the foundation of cultivating immortals. Not only do you not fulfill your filial piety and abandon your family and children, but what are your merits? Young and middle-aged people are powerless due to their cultivation, and they are not monks either. After all, they are good at cultivating and practicing, but instead become “Taoist fools”. It’s chilling to see.

If fate really comes and one encounters a master, the question of apprenticeship actually requires understanding what path one should take. Of course, the most important thing is to demonstrate the Tao and align with it. So it’s important to observe the master you want to worship, their ability to practice and comprehend principles, rather than judging by their quick decision-making, beautiful talismans, numerous rituals, and high official status. If one seeks the Way through art, then the Way cannot be obtained. If you are interested in art, don’t talk to Taoist priests. You can treat it as a hobby, view it correctly, establish a correct concept, and then learn art by yourself through some means.