1. Begin by distinguishing between “object-oriented types of meditation” (OOM) and “subject-oriented types of meditation” (SOO).

2. OOM include–for instance–following the breath, reciting a mantra, counting to a certain number, and so on.

3. OOM can be beneficial inasmuch as they can help to cultivate concentration.

4. However, at some point, OOM must give way to SOO. Why?

5. Quite simply because what’s centrally and fundamentally in question is this: who is reciting nembutsu? Who is breathing or following the breath? To whom do all these sensations appear? Who is aware of the counting? In short, Who am I, what am I, or whence am I?

6. SOO can be said to be of two types: (1) inquiry-based and (2) concentration on the Self.

7. Atmananda, whose teaching I’ll discuss at some length in the future, offers us a stunning example of (1). Set (1) aside for now.

8. Then we come to (2) concentration on the Self. What is this?

9. Chan masters in particular offer us a huatou like Wu, Who?, or What? We are (a) to raise the huatou to awareness and, most especially, (b) to concentrate on the huatou no matter what.

10. When the concentration on Wu, Who?, What?, or I? becomes deep enough, stable enough, and indeed all-encompassing, then there is no longer a concentrator and a concentrated-on. There is only THIS!