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I heard a story of a monk who lived in a cave for fifteen, twenty years, and then emerged as a bodhisattva to teach. He was asked what was the most important thing he learned, and answered “Watch the breath.”
This could be seen as almost fundamentalist, or fetishistic, or a kind of over-cute attempt at skillful means. But, in light of what we just said, what better answer is there? “Watch the breath” is an instruction for what to do in the present moment to come to the present moment. Any concept, or idea, or goal, or enlightened utterance – distraction.
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