This teaching encompasses all forms of experience, and the liberation from it all. Held with right intention, forms can be used for their benefits without clinging to them. Use forms – the body, the monastery – as props, to purify intention.
There is some kind of personhood that is enriched, that realizes. This is different from self, which is imagined, generated out of grasping. Come out of the story line of self, and into basic presence. A purification of this personhood – resilience, strength, clarity, heartfulness – comes about naturally as we meditate.
The process of samādhi is as important as anything else, wherever the process lands. Give priority to 3 fundamental roots: inclination towards kindness/well-being; protection/warding off what’s harmful; letting go of sense contact.
The joy of letting go includes restraint expressed as sitting with integrity as well as letting go of stories, expectation & experiences. This letting go is not a sacrifice but rather releasing the burden of holding onto the things that cause us suffering.
