First I teach people how to concentrate and strengthen their small sense of self. concentrate the mind and build a focused, strong sense of self. Only when the small self is concentrated can one move beyond it. In kung-an practice, one's self must be concentrated in order to break through it.

First I teach people how to concentrate and strengthen their small sense of self. If they do not experience enlightenment, at least they will have improved their self-esteem and confidence; and they will not be as scattered as before. The steps one goes through are: scattered small self; concentrated small self; large or universal self; no-self.

STUDENT:

What would one who has reached the level of large, or universal, self think and feel?

SHIH-FU:

Large self is an experience that comes and then goes, like a religious or spiritual revelation. At such a time, people would feel as though they were one with the universe. They would feel as if they were the universe. After the experience leaves, they would again be normal, but the feeling would endure, and they would feel more expansive, more settled, more compassionate, more confident.

STUDENT:

Is it possible for this experience to last for a long time?

SHIH-FU:

The feeling can endure, but the experience will not.

STUDENT:

You said that after liberation, wisdom and merit continue to exist, and that this is no-self. Can you expand on this?