Q. Even diverse traditions seem to agree that pure awareness is itself the path. Both Dogen and Milarepa are of one voice on this point. However, both engaged in many, many relative practices that are very different from one another. Why did they engage in koan study, deity yoga, subtle-body practice, etc, even after attaining to a clear penetration of emptiness? Were they simply mistaken?

A. My own conceit is still very evident, but even I would never venture to suggest that such great sages as these got things wrong!

As stated in the answer to a recent question, I believe that pure awareness is more the spirit of practice that embraces all experiences without discrimination as we learn to surrender to that completeness. This to me is the real meaning of taking refuge. This is the framework, the background, the spirit of complete and open Dharma practice that leads to the deepest understanding of reality. Whilst cultivating this ability to just be, we will find from time to time that we will need to employ skillful means in order to maintain this most difficult of practices. What these sages engaged themselves in suited them and no doubt came from their tradition and culture. I’m sure they never saw these various practices as an end in themselves but as a means to assist them in their journey to the higher path