Close to What You Know
October 16, 2006
Our minds are filled with all kinds of knowledge, but exactly how certain is that knowledge and how useful is it? Right now as you’re meditating, there’s not much you need to know. You’re sitting here focusing on your breath, so notice how the breath feels. If it doesn’t feel comfortable, see what you can to do to make it more comfortable. In other words, notice what you’re doing and notice the results. That’s a very direct kind of knowledge. The sensation of ease or stress or whatever you’re feeling with the breath: that’s something you experience directly. That’s the sort of thing you experienced back when you were a child before you knew language at all. It’s a very direct kind of knowledge. As you move away from this level of experience, things get less and less certain.