Difficult and Easy is the path we choose

Whenever I'm hanging out and discussing with my friends, I often talk about Zen to them. My friends often comment to me "hey Daffa, why don't you quote classical texts and don't also refer to orthodoxy, especially Dharma in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Vedanta?" they said.

I also responded to their comments and replied “For me, the path of liberation is very wide, as wide as the universe. Reaching the path of liberation can be followed by a difficult path such as religious orthodoxy, and there is also an easy path such as Zen. It all depends on our choices.”

In my article today, I will explain a little about the two paths to liberation (which means liberation of mind). The first path of liberation is the path of religious orthodoxy. In the way of religious orthodoxy, too many moral rules to be observed such as traditions, rituals, etc. Even the purpose is not clear.

An example is the path of liberation taught by Gautama Buddha. The four noble truths and the eight paths are part of the four paths of truth. The method of knowledge taught by Gautama is very complex. Then there are the three basic characteristics, in reality, the four foundations in the life of consciousness, the five constituents of human existence, the five hindrances to mental liberation, to the three defilements present in the human mind.

All of the lists I have listed above contain many concepts of Sanskrit and Pali or ancient languages in Indian tradition. I could have explained all of those concepts if asked to explain them. In addition, there are still interpretations of the teachings that I wrote above. You'll get confused if you dig deeper.

If a person becomes confused and finds it difficult to learn a concept of religious orthodoxy, as a result, that person will get lost in many concepts. People will be lazy to study it further. Today we live in the digital age, people move faster. The complex path of religious orthodoxy will take longer to learn and understand.

Likewise in the traditions of Yoga, Hinduism, and Vedanta. They have very deep and broad concepts and philosophies. Yoga movements and positions are taught so very difficult. There are many levels and types of Hindu meditation that make people confused to learn. So that people do not get confused in such complex teachings and concepts, a new and easy way must be needed.

As far as I know, all paths to liberation return to one concept, which is "the present". At this moment, are you conscious or unconscious? Are you lost in your emotions and thoughts? Or are you lost in the memories of the past or the shadows of the future?

You will be shackled if you drift into your thoughts and emotions, you will suffer if you are drifting into the memories of your past or future. This concept is very simple and its application must be practiced continuously.

The past is past and will not be able to come back again, we can only learn from the past that has passed, then returns to the "present moment". Likewise, the future will never be known will happen. We can imagine many things for the future, we can plan many things for the future, but we must return to the reality and truth of the present. This is the concept of the path of liberation that I do. For me, this is the essence of Dharma teaching.

What is the best thing I can do at this point? If I am cycling, then I am cycling with all my heart. If I was working as an employee, then I would be a good employee. At this moment, we will live fully and we will be liberated. That's enough. There are no complicated concepts to do and think about, no moral rules to make your head spin.

So, there are many paths to inner liberation. With a complicated or easy and simple way, please choose which one is suitable for you to live. I choose the easy and simple path because I don't like complexity. haha

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