What is self-conquest in zen?

Is there a notion of self-conquest?

To define it generally, do Zen Masters implore anyone to do anything that is toward-the-self, ie not in the 'outer world'? I seem to recall Foyen tellings us: "You brag about having studied Zen for five or ten years, but when have you ever done this kind of work? You just pursue fast talk."

But what is this "work"? I don't think it's work, as in planting rice every year, but more like self-conquest, that is achieved through this work Foyen is alluding to. What is it?

Submitted April 29, 2021 at 01:08AM by True__Though https://ift.tt/3eD1WuP