The Method of No-Method: The Chan Practice of Silent Illumination

Clean, tight, unmarked; first two pages have light creasing close to upper edge; otherwise absolute minimal wear; appears unread; Here is a spiritual practice uncomplicated enough for anyone to learn, yet rich enough to be worked with for a lifetime. The traditional Chan (Chinese Zen) method called Silent Illumination begins with nothing more than putting aside all thoughts except the awareness of oneself "just sitting." It's so simple in execution that it has sometimes been called, as the title indicates, the "method of no-method" - yet, simple as it is, the practice is subtle and profound, with the potential for ever subtler refinements as the practitioner moves toward mastery of it. When fully penetrated, this radical form of emptying one's busy mind stream leads to perception of the vast ocean of pure awareness.