Concentration practices without clear

understanding can cause ego reinforcement

and rigidity. Traditionally this problem of

ego inflation and rigidity has been called

“Zen disease.” When concentration is properly

understood and practiced, we develop insight

into the truest nature of our mind; hence,

ego-deflation, openness and compassion

naturally occur.

An example of confused and problematic

understanding in beginning practice is

attachment to the normal cultural view of

ego as a permanent separate entity. Our Zen

practice view is that an ego is a temporary

arising reference point in a field of pure

awareness. Once one has mastered Dharana,

one becomes naturally open to Dhyana.

Pure Meditative Awareness

or

Dhyana

is the second form. This is the practice and

realization of non-opinionated,

imperturbable, effortless, compassionate

mind. This practice is not a denial of thought,

feeling or sensing, but an actual opening and

knowing of ourselves deeper than our

feeling, thinking and sensing.

In our Dhyana awareness practice, we are

asked to look out from and directly into who

we are beyond our senses, thoughts, feelings

and our idea of a separate self. In Dhyana

awareness we realize that our ego is in fact

just a temporary point of focus and not a

permanent, ongoing, separate being.

Page 19