Recognizing Nature of Radiance and Natural Perfection vs. Focusing on Radiance and Concentrative Practices

John Tan wrote to someone:

One should not focus on radiance at all. Instead, recognition is what is most crucial. Recognition of what? It is the recognition that the "nature" of whatever appears is always perfect and requires no modification or effort. That is the so-called "practice."

The practice of concentration arises from a misconception and non-recognition of the "nature" of radiance.

This means that after one directly tastes the clarity of radiance but remains unclear about its "perfect nature," the impulse for "doing" originates from this non-recognition.

Therefore, one must "undo" this through recognition; otherwise, we unknowingly create more hindrances.

Sitting is OK, but the process is about recognition and opening up (deconstruction). Then, from this deconstruction, one realizes the perfect nature, and everything becomes effortless and natural, from prajn~aˉ to yeshe.

We must understand the difference between the "concentrative path," the "deconstructive path," and the "natural state."

For example, consider someone trying to open their third eye by focusing on their brow chakra, its color, and its intensity. This can easily lead to an energy imbalance. This is the concentrative path.

The deconstructive path is not about focusing. Instead, it is about recognizing that all abilities are already present but have been "covered" up. The path, therefore, involves deconstructing and uncovering phenomena such as the sense of self, the sense of boundaries, the perceived characteristics of the subject and object, and the belief in the inherent causal power of things.

Get it?