The spiritual literature is littered with stories of the dying Abbot handing the lineage over to the lowly humble cook or gardener rather than pass it to one of the head students who have been corrupted by pride. And this is the main problem with spiritual work: in a sense it is as easy (if not easier) to use it to avoid facing one's issues than it is to use it to look into them. This is especially true of an art such as Taiji, the practice of which inevitably accrues energy and power: it is tempting to believe that that power indicates spiritual progress whereas it indicates nothing of the sort. Masters who become seduced by their own power usually end up realising their mistake when it is too late: when they have already become too entwined and engrossed in their own ego for there to be a viable way back. Spiritual work is not about acquiring powers but about baring the heart and soul (to God), that is, humbleness: flaying the self raw and naked in order to become pure enough to enter reality.