Heavenly tribulation is the idea that advancement attracts a cosmic test or punishment.
Glossary term
Heavenly Tribulation
What does Heavenly Tribulation mean?
A trial from heaven, often lightning, faced when breaking through to a higher realm.
It is often shown as lightning, heart demons, illusions, karmic backlash, or disasters that test body and Dao heart.
Tribulations are useful because they make breakthroughs dramatic rather than automatic.