144. The contemplative practices of body awareness and breath awareness may bring us to a state of stillness, calm, silence. From within such a peaceful state we can watch the surface movements that beset our everyday mind yet remain undisturbed by them. However, a word of caution: such stillness, calmness, peacefulness may not be the authentic Zen awakening which brings liberation not only for oneself but also for all beings. There is a fairly well known experience called 'unitive consciousness' (Gerald May) and, delightful as it is, it does not equate with Zen awakening.
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