Prerequisites to the Practice of Kuji-In, Kuji-Kiri

I don't want to discourage newcomers or meditation "noobies" from plunging into the white water rapids of the Kuji-In and Kuji-Kiri, but I do feel compelled to point out that this is indeed an advanced spiritual practice.

A newcomer can jump right on in, and is warmly invited to do so. However, such a one will likely be at somewhat of a loss without some serious remedial attention to get up to speed. As Buddhist teacher Francois Lepine has noted, this is a practice that is easy to start, yet takes years to master.

So, in an attempt to help prospective Kuji practitioners, I include below a list of the prerequisites I believe are necessary for someone to really begin to make the most of this precious practice:

Required Basics:
* Substantial experience in seated meditation: proper sitting posture, proper breathing, proper focus.
* Experience in meditative chanting.

Recommended Additions:
* Experience in energy cultivation, such as Chi-Kung/Qi-Gong.
* Experience in Yoga.
* Experience in Tai Chi.
* Have a working knowledge of the basics of psychology.

You'll be Ahead of the Curve If You:
* Have an understanding of the theory of meditation, especially Buddhist meditation.
* Have the theoretical underpinnings of the Kuji (as per Francois Lepine, Stephen K. Hayes, etc.).
* Participated in a Zen sesshin (intensive, week-long meditation retreat).
* Have practiced yoga.
* Have practiced some yogic breathing.
* Have practiced some yogic meditation, especially that relating to the kundalini.
* Have had some experience in psychotherapy.
* Have some capability drawing or painting Japanese kanji characters (for use in the Kuji-Kiri practice).
* Have experience in iaido or tameshigiri (Japanese sword-drawing, sword-cutting movement; also for use in Kuji-Kiri).

You're Well On the Way to Mastery If You:
* have had some degree of kensho, or realization (enlightenment).