Forgetting & Again Forgetting

The following passage is drawn from the early Tang dynasty text Daojiao yishu (The Pivotal Meaning of the Taoist Teaching). This text is associated with the School of Twofold Mystery, whose practices were modeled largely on the Buddhist Theory of Two-Truths, and rooted in Madhyamika reasonings.

The meditative process engaged in by practitioners of the School of Twofold Mystery was known as "forgetting and again forgetting": (1) moving from a perception of worldly truth to a realization of absolute truth (i.e. emptiness); and (2) "forgetting" both ordinary thinking as well as the realization of emptiness.

I love how "perfection" is spoken of in terms of "mystery" :)

"The two kinds of observation are the deep realms of concentration and insight, the mysterious gateway to emptiness and being. They are used to harmonize the mind and swiftly achieve the perfection of Twofold Mystery. Through these observations, agitation and worry will finally return to the shores of the twofold truth of the Tao. Pursuing them, one will certainly attain perfection; following them, one will certainly find liberation from all dharmas. This, then, is their perfection.

The two kinds of observation are the observation of energy and the observation of 'spirit.' The two terms 'energy' and 'spirit' refer to the inner constituents of body and mind.

The body belongs to the realm of being; it is subject to the delusions of the World of Form. Thus the term 'energy' is used to refer to concentration.

The mind belongs to the realm of nonbeing; it is difficult to fathom. Thus the term 'spirit' is used to refer to the insight of emptiness."