PRACTICE SECTION 02 Loosening the Ego and Opening the Door
Level I: Initial Faith — Loosening the Ego and Opening the Door
The Core of Initial Faith
The essence of this stage is to begin opening the door of the heart, allowing the Holy Spirit the opportunity to participate. The practice at this stage is to first loosen the rigid "Self" tied within.
The Phase Objective:
- No Preconception: Do not approach life with preset assumptions.
- No Obsession : Do not cling stubbornly to specific outcomes.
- No Rigidity : Do not hold fast to old prejudices.
- No Self-Centering : Do not let the Ego obscure your conscience.
- Emotional Markers: Humility and a lack of inner entanglement.
Individual Practice Methods
1. The "30-Day Say Yes" Experiment: Commit to a 30-day period (recognizing that 21 days can form a habit). Starting from the following day, make it a rule that whenever your impulse is to say "No," say "Yes" instead. Observe the transformation within yourself.
2. Confronting the Fearful: Identify the things that trigger your greatest fear or dread—whether it be riding a roller coaster or touching a snake. Intentionally attempt to do them or touch them to break the Ego’s defense mechanisms.
3. Conflict Re-framing: In moments of dispute, anger, or perceived humiliation, pivot your thoughts to: "This may not necessarily be a bad thing. The other party may have their own valid reasons."
Supporting Tools for Courage and Persistence
- Daily Prayer: Use the AI Prayer Method to visualize yourself having already become a "New Person." Ask God to grant you the necessary courage.
- Silent Contemplation: Before sleeping, reflect on your behavior throughout the day. Ask yourself: "Did I begin to practice non-attachment today?"
- Journaling: Use your smartphone (voice or text) or a physical notebook to record your behavioral patterns and emotional fluctuations.
- Intuitive Scripture Reading: Read a passage from the Four Gospels daily. Practice "Intuitive Reading"—continue reading until you reach a verse that deeply resonates or creates a profound "heart-to-heart" connection. If you find no resonance, skip to the next section until you find one that touches your soul.
- Digital Integration: Keep a digital version of the scriptures. When faced with confusion, send the verse and your doubts to ChatGPT for an explanation. (We are developing a dedicated AI product to facilitate these inquiries in the future).