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Dogen encourages practitioners to let go of attachment to the self in order to find true liberation from "summary" of Dogen's Manuals of Zen Meditation by Carl Bielefeldt
Dogen consistently emphasizes the importance of releasing attachment to the self as a crucial step on the path to true liberation. He argues that our attachment to the self is the root cause of suffering and delusion, preventing us from experiencing the true nature of reality. According to Dogen, the self is a construct that we cling to out of fear and ignorance, leading us astray from the true essence of existence. In order to let go of attachment to the self, Dogen encourages practitioners to engage in rigorous meditation practices that help them cultivate a deep awareness of the impermanent and interconnected nature of all things. By observing the transient nature of thoughts, emotions, and sensations without clinging to them, practitioners can begin to see through the illusion of the self and recognize their inseparability from the larger fabric of existence. Dogen's teachings on nonattachment are rooted in the Buddhist concept of anatman, or no-self, which challenges the conventional notion of a fixed and independent self. By letting go of attachment to the self, practitioners can transcend their limited perspective and open themselves up to a more expansive and interconnected way of being in the world. This shift in perception is not merely intellectual but requires a deep and sustained commitment to meditation practice.- Dogen believes that true liberation can only be found through the letting go of attachment to the self and a radical reorientation of one's relationship to reality. By relinquishing our narrow sense of self and embracing the boundless nature of existence, we can experience a profound sense of freedom and interconnectedness that transcends the limitations of ego and separateness. Through diligent practice and unwavering commitment to the path of Zen, practitioners can begin to unravel the layers of delusion that obscure their true nature and awaken to the inherent wisdom and compassion that lies at the core of their being.
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