Regarding spiritual practice, how can some people reach that state without ever having seen the "Great Way（Tao）"?
In the realm of spiritual practice (or enlightenment, realization), the ability to reach that level without ever having seen the "Great Way（Tao）" is a profound and widespread phenomenon. In fact, almost all practitioners have never seen the full picture of the Great Way before they truly "enlighten" themselves.
This can be understood from the following perspectives:
1. The Great Way is invisible, It can only be "enlightened"
Lao Tzu stated in the *Tao Te Ching*:
"The Tao that can be spoken of is not the eternal Tao."
（可以被言說、表達的「道」，就不是永恆不變的「道」。）
The Great Tao is not a concrete object, a painting, or a visible "final destination."
• It is not a visual object: The Great Way is the origin and law of the universe; it has no form and no sound. Therefore, practitioners do not "see" the Great Way before they walk towards it, but rather gradually align their mind with the laws of the Great Way during the practice.
• Like the blind men and the elephant: Even someone who has never seen a world map can reach their destination by following the correct signs step by step.
2. Relying on "Methods" and "Roadmaps" for Progress
Although one may not have seen the Great Way, past pioneers (such as Buddha, Lao Tzu, and patriarchs of various dynasties) left behind methodologies (methods).
• Map and Compass: Scriptures, precepts, concentration, and wisdom are the maps of spiritual practice.
• Gradual Progress: Practitioners don't need to know what the highest state looks like beforehand; they only need to focus on the present moment. For example:
• Step 1: Purify the mind, reducing attachments and afflictions.
• Step 2: Enhance concentration and enter a state of meditative absorption.
• Step 3: Develop wisdom in a meditative state and break through the illusion of self.
When all these steps are performed to perfection, the practitioner will naturally be "in the midst of the Great Way," and only then can they truly "see" the Way.
3. "We cannot see the true face of Mount Lu because we are in the mountain ourselves."
Many times, practitioners are not unaware of the Great Way, but rather, the Great Way is omnipresent, so much so that they cannot recognize it until their attachments are broken.
• Like a fish searching for the ocean in the water, surrounded by water every day, it might become so accustomed to it that it asks, "Where is the ocean?"
• The process of spiritual practice is not about "searching" for an external path, but about removing the veils that blind our eyes through "subtraction" (letting go of attachments and delusions). When delusions subside, the inherent "path" or "Buddha-nature" naturally manifests.
4. The Power of Trust and "Root of Faith"
In religious and philosophical practice, "faith" (belief, conviction) is the first step.
• Because of faith in the teacher's guidance and the possibility of truth, practitioners are willing to continue even when the end is unseen.
• As one's practice deepens, this "faith" will transform from blind belief into a firm conviction based on actual experience (for example, the mind does indeed become calmer and wisdom does indeed increase after meditation), thus giving one more confidence to practice to a deeper level.
In summary: Practitioners do not need to have seen the "Great Way" beforehand. They are like driving at night; the headlights only illuminate 100 meters ahead, but as long as they keep moving forward and clearly see the road ahead, they can eventually travel a thousand miles and reach their destination.
