Q. In DM WM you mention the Maha Satipatthana Sutra in the chapter on awareness. What advice would you give to someone taking on the practices of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness as set forth by the Buddha in this sutra? A. All insight practices of Buddhist traditions have their roots in this sutra, as it lays out the path of fundamental insight that breaks the root of the delusion of self. Some insight practices may go beyond this and focus on “what is”, and the Buddha nature. But “what isn’t” has first to be worked through, else the blinding notion of self will always conceal complete insight. These types of practice deal simultaneously with both of these fundamental characteristics of insight, but the removal of self-delusion step by step will always be leading. To ask about the practices in this sutra is to therefore inquire about insight practice in general and the basic framework that needs to be understood before embarking upon this form of practice. As I find myself often writing, the best I can suggest is to refer you to the second book that I have written to find the tenets, as I understand them, necessary for the insightful spiritual journey practised in Buddhism.

If at all possible find a teacher who has walked at least a good way down the path of insight, so that they may help you in your time of need. If you can’t find one, then you will have to compromise with books and advice where you can find it, but be very careful and is something I wouldn’t advise Next we have the essential support of sangha. It is one of the three jewels and not an optional extra. If you think you can do this practice in the way it has to be done in order to enter the promise of permanent change on your own please forget it. You will wander off course, increase your delusion and may well get yourself into all sorts of emotional difficulties along the way. Insight practice has the power to encourage the emergence of the dark forces that are in all of us. Not knowing what to do with these forces can lead to serious problems.

Study, and put into practice the eightfold path in totality. Nurturing the eightfold path (in a direct orthodox way or a “hidden” way, e.g., Zen) will be the active component that reveals the reality of self whatever method of insightful investigation you may use – including those of the Maha Satipatthana Sutra.