Buddhist-Meditation-Systematic-and-Practical

(pratityasamutpada).
Also, we should remember that in Buddhism, there is a
wisdom called "non-guru Wisdom"; that is, wisdom not
gained by contact with teachers, either human on
non-human. If there is a guru, that is very good, and
desirable for most people, but even if one is not
available then the exoteric meditations may still be
practiced.
As to choosing suitable meditations, those in whom
wisdom is very highly developed may choose a subject
from Chan. After reading many Hua Tou in books on
Chan, they may select one for their practice. The
question here is not really about the selection of a
meditation, but as to how it will be practiced. If a truly
wise man takes a Hua Tou but only devotes a short time
to it each day, then it will do him no good. A Hua Tou
(or Gong An) requires full-time practice coupled with
perfect renunciation. If one only reads Chan books and
then practices a Hua Tou for one hour a day, even in
one's whole life it would not be possible to succeed. It is
not bad to start by reading a book or two, but one cannot
make progress by continuing in this way. Read a book,
get the method, and practice with complete renunciation
and with the whole mind—this is the order to follow.
Those who take up practice in this way (and very few
can do so) have for their guru the Dharmakaya, for
Chan is just this. If they practice earnestly and their time
of mature comprehension has come—then, a Chan guru
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