The “defilements” this slogan refers to could be my habitual patterns, neuroses, or wherever I’m stuck. Now is the time to work with my biggest obstacle. If I start where I’m most stuck, such as hatred or anger or self-loathing, I can begin to make friends with the “heaviest shit” about myself.

These great obstacles contain great wisdom, and as they begin to dissolve then many of the lesser ones also lose their potency. I don’t worry about ever running out of things to work on – in my experience there seems to be a limitless supply!