These slogans all describe the common situation of turning beneficial things (gods and food) into harmful ones (demons and poison). Even if I am firmly on the path and practicing regularly, I can still turn the path into an ego trip or self-improvement project. I can also use practice to reinforce “me” and stay closed off to the world. “Acting with a twist” is another way of saying I’m looking for personal benefit from practice. It’s good to remind myself why I practice.