Searching for the essence
As to methods, there may be a million and then some, but principles are few. Whoever grasps principles can successfully select their own methods. Those who try methods, ignoring principles, are sure to have trouble.
—Harrington Emerson.
What is the essence of Buddhism? What is the point of it? We could say, "nibbāna", but how do we understand that?
- Kindness?
- Being present?
- Taking care of the heart?
- Taming the heart?
- Seeing emptiness?
- Letting go?
- Absorption?
- Seeing impermanence, not self, dukkha?
- Awareness?
- Not clinging?
Which of these is the core aim? Which are principles? Which are methods? It's not always clear.
I was asking myself these questions this morning. Later, listening to Ajahn Amaro, there came a helpful reply:
The various practices we use—sitting meditation, walking meditation, restraining the senses, inner listening to the nada sound—these are all ways and means to sustain this quality of knowing, of wakefulness... awareness of this very citta (heart-mind).
—Ajahn Amaro.