--- In [email protected], mike brown <uerusuboyo@...> wrote:
>
> Hi JM,
>
> Thanks for the question. Meditation is the best practice that I know of, but
> is
> not essential. Even being 'mindful' is not 'it' as it has it's duality in
> forgetfullness. If there is a way, then it has to be simple and everywhen (a
> nod
> to Steve). What do we know outside of concepts, thoughts, visualisations,
> tools,
> witnessing etc.? We are always beyond doubt existentially aware of 'I am' (a
> further nod to Ramana Maharishi and Nisargadatta Maharal), so this is a
> good
> place to start. But ultimately, even awareness of 'I am' is a product of the
> mind and so we need to go further beyond that to Pure Awareness ; ) where we
> all
> share the same (Buddha) Nature and nothing really needs to be done.
>
> Mike
>
> Hi Mike. IMO, the problem is that we always think that everything
depends upon what we choose to do or not do. This presupposes that
we are a First Cause of our choices. This presupposes that we really
are separate, independant agents. Buddha said that there are thoughts, but no
thinker. In the same way I would say that when it
is the proper time meditation and other practices arise, but there
really is no separate, independant practitioner "doing" them. And
not everyone ripens in exactly the same way, for "there is nowhere
in which The Way cannot be followed", as Huang Po put it. So not everyone will
take up meditation. I did not (as a separate agent) choose to say Namo
Amitabha. Many Buddhists think that Gotama attained The Dharma, but I know that
The Dharma attained Gotama. Zen people talk about self-power, while Pureland
people speak of other-power, but ultimately there is only One Power. I bow to
The Infinite Light! Who is bowing?
Steve
>
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