People often say that cultivation requires a clear mind and lack of desires, having no wants or needs.
This is actually a fallacy. In the world, who can truly be without desires or needs? Cultivators are even more so; their pursuit of the Dao is more fervent than the blazing sun, and their desire to attain the Dao cannot be contained by the heavens. How can they be said to be without wants or needs?
So, according to Li Fan's understanding of this saying, it means striving for excellence in everything, honing and perfecting one's cultivation field to the utmost. Seeking the ultimate perfection is key, while other extraneous practices, hobbies, and interests are seen as distractions to be eliminated. This could be considered as having no desires save for the Dao.
