A few last questions

["David Yeh" <ldreamr@...>]

Rawn wrote:
> Focusing your attention on an external point, candle, etc., and
> focusing it upon your breathing only serve to distract and divert
> the surface mind. This does not lead to self-knowledge. It
> teaches you nothing about how your surface mind functions and it
> does nothing to increase your ability to directly discipline your
> surface mind. All it does is teach you how to distract your
> surface mind, thus leaving an untamed beast always lurking just
> out of your control.

Am I incorrect in assuming, however, that this sort of "distraction" 
is not unlike the focus that's employed in the emptiness of mind 
exercise wherein one focuses on perception of what is beyond the 
mind chatter?


Also, is there a minimum "level" that is expected of the student for 
the eucharistic magics for completion of Step One? Are these 
exercises similar to the first thought discipline exercise in that 
one should get "a certain skill" at this stage, and continue 
developing it throughout the course of IIH?



Thanks,
David
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http://www.davidyeh.org