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The Direction of Practice

In this video John continues his theme of describing the core point of zazen with refference to the two pillars of non-attachment and non-separation. This time however he starts from the typical point of view of someone first starting out in practice. Taking the first steps in practice can often be the most difficult, since this is often the first time that we are really forced to listen to ourselves and our internal dialogue. Because of this it is often helpful to first get some distance from this ‘crappy person’, to stablise us, and for this we practice non-attachment. However true emancipation is attained through non-separation, the casting off of the self. It is through this non-separation that zazen can be seen as life afirming, joyful and connected.

Adapted from Kusen given on 3rd October 2020 ‘The Direction of Practice’