Why is trading considered a form of cultivation?

1. The market is complex and ever-changing. Simplifying the complexities to find an exit in uncertain conditions is the key to trading.

2. The path of trading involves many pitfalls. Trading must be honed in real market situations; going against the trend, holding positions, liquidation, doubling down—one must personally experience these to truly understand.

3. Traders must overcome many challenges. Technical challenges, system challenges, capital management challenges, emotional challenges, psychological challenges, and the challenge of aligning knowledge with action—if one does not strive to improve oneself, it is fundamentally impossible to overcome them.

4. Trading requires both sacrifice and gain. It is impossible to capture every market movement; there will certainly be many trading opportunities that one will "miss." The most important aspect of trading is focus—concentrating on familiar territory and only earning what belongs to oneself. From the vast river of opportunities, only take a ladle's worth.

5. Consistent execution in trading is difficult. Consistent execution in trading is the hardest; the gambler's mentality will often interfere, and without a certain level of inner stability, it is fundamentally impossible to achieve.

Trading behavior reflects the trader; through the myriad of trading appearances, it mirrors the different mindsets of the trader: greed, fear, obsession, regret.

Only by seeking inward, cultivating the heart and nurturing one's nature can traders find their true selves; only in this way can they slowly emerge from trading.