“If we want communion with heavenly powers, we need only attain the proper spiritual height. Then heaven will come to meet us as surely as lightening is attracted to a lightning rod. The effort is only in the purification of our character, in the reaching upward. Once the situation is correct, union is inevitable.

“Some people say, “Who cares about heaven?” Some people say, “Why strain for refinement?” Of course, no one is required to make an effort in life. We can all go the easy way. But then we are still lightning rods. Only the forces we attract are not the powers of heaven, but the powers of demons, misfortune, and predators.

” No, there is no reason why anyone should want to purify for spiritual reasons. The fact is, no matter what kind of person you are, you will attract something to yourself. One of the major ways to control what comes to you is to refine your substance.”

~Deng Ming-Dao, 365 Daily Meditations