THE PATH OF LIBERATION
The core of the path of liberation is insight rooted in observation of the nature of the internet and digital world and how we interact with it. By observing the digital world carefully, we develop a deep and unshakeable understanding that it cannot satisfy us and that all of our efforts for completion in the internet are in vain. This insight is addressed directly in the step of liberating contemplation.
That being said, the path of liberation is divided into six parts of liberating activity that function sequentially and as a simultaneous whole:
liberating understanding
liberating intention
liberating action
liberating mental effort
liberating contemplation
liberating concentration
The path is progressive and integrative, meaning full mastery of the earlier factors is needed for full mastery of the later factors, but all factors support each other and are practiced regardless of which stage of the path has been mastered.
Here are how the factors work progressively: (1) liberating understanding provides the framework for the practice and its purpose (largely consisting of the first three truths already discussed). (2) Having comprehended the basic meaning of the teaching, the practitioner makes specific intentions consistent with the goals of the teaching (to not crave, not hate, and not harm). (3) The practitioner then applies those intentions to digital behavior, correcting behavior that does not lead to liberation. (4) Next, the practitioner applies the intentions to the more subtle mental behaviors and corrects them, so that the majority of mental and behavioral habits of craving, hatred, and violence are deconditioned. (5) However, because craving is supported by a fundamental delusion about the nature of the internet, deep insight is needed to change that view. To achieve this, the practitioner focuses on contemplating the impermanent, empty, and dissatisfactory nature of the internet. By realizing that the digital world cannot be grasped, the delusion that supports craving for digital fulfillment is cut off. (6) Finally, having cut off the root of craving for digital satisfaction, the practitioner then purifies their mental state through deep meditative concentration, removing the final vestiges of habitual craving and completing the path of liberation.
The integrative nature of the path is that all stages of the path are practiced simultaneously. For instance, if you are working on mastering liberating action, you also practice liberating mental effort, contemplation, and concentration. Your emphasis will be on mastery of liberating action, but you still cultivate the other path factors. Conversely, when you reach the stage of liberating contemplation, you will still practice liberating action and mental effort. Throughout, the liberating understanding and intentions are essential.