of Eastern religions and philosophies depend not on the control of attention, but on the contrary—its surrender. I think this objection is based on a misunderstanding of what the process of “surrendering” or “relinquishing” control of attention entails. In my opinion, these processes of surrender are among the most difficult acts of control that consciousness can accomplish. Given the naturally chaotic state of the mind, to achieve the affectless, unfocused consciousness of the mystic requires enormous effort and long training. Therefore, I believe that at least in this respect East and West
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