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Madhyamaka practice

Look for the edge

When a problem feels total and permanent.

How to do it

Find where the problem begins and ends. Look for its edges, its location, its owner. What you find is a set of conditions, not a solid thing.

Where it comes from

Madhyamaka, the Middle Way school founded on the work of Nagarjuna, teaches that nothing exists with a fixed, independent essence. Things arise in dependence on causes and conditions, and are therefore empty (sunyata). Seeing this loosens the grip of rigid views, including views about ourselves.

Drawn from The Fundamental Wisdom of the Middle Way (Mūlamadhyamakakārikā) by Nāgārjuna.

More practices

Read next: The Buddhist Way to Deal with Overthinking and Worry

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