"All methods are appearances."

[Serious Buddhist]

All worldly or leaving-the-world methods, at that moment it is originally liberation. When you think of doing Gong Fu (cultivation) to seek liberation, it is clinging to appearances, so it is not liberation. The above paragraph talks about liberation, which is extremely important. It is where the essence of everything is. If oneself works hard, whether in the Esoteric sect or Orthodox teachings, remember this, all methods are appearances of liberation.

-- From Nan Huai Jin's work: Vimalakirti's Flower-Raining Sky