Ning found Yan in the courtyard before the first practice. He had brought his notebook and the copied shrine text, but had not opened either. The previous evening’s review had left a question on the page: which memory would he hold as an anchor while the method narrowed his attention?
“Walk with me,” Ning said. “I want to understand what the text says before you begin.”
They crossed the courtyard together. The persimmon tree had been pruned, and a new brace supported one low branch. A neighbor had marked the cuts with chalk so the living tips would be easy to distinguish from the dead ones.
“Does reading the scripture do anything?” Ning asked.
“No. I read the lines, but nothing started. I have to perform the complete meditation.”
“And when it starts?”
“The text says it gathers attention around one intention. It also says attachment to people and memories may grow dull.”
Ning looked at him. “What memory are you holding?”
