Shared from a friend.

Zen practice is a verb, not a noun. Practice keeps the curious mind awake and aware, and never takes anything for granted. Practice consumes fixed ideas and all nouns. "From the beginning not a thing is. " (Zen) This is the funeral pyre of practice.

The only hope, or else despair. Lies in the choice of pyre or pyre- To be redeemed from fire by fire. (TS Eliot)

The Prajnaparamita is a funeral pyre. Practice is throwing the Sense of Self into the flames. Awareness is the Phoenix Bird that rises out of its own ashes.