From Zen Marrow Talk One:
Guo Gu instructs that freedom from suffering; begins with being embedded in suffering. One must know and be aware of what the Buddha teaches. As one becomes aware of the Buddha’s teachings, one realizes that he or she starts from where one is. Some hear Buddha’s teachings and recognize the instructions at once. Others may acknowledge the words are wise but do not understand them. Heart knowledge of Buddha Dharma develops with hearing and practicing.
By practicing Buddha Dharma, one grows in the comprehension and wisdom that everyone and everything is a part of one another. Recognition that all things are part of each other leads one to become compassionate towards things and people. As one grows in compassion and wisdom, one begins to recognize what Guo Gu means when he says that we are already free.