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Post by silence on Jan 2, 2014 17:52:50 GMT -5
When mind is quiet there really isn't any 'self business' to see as we're literally talking about a compulsive movement of thought. The best time to see, is precisely when that compulsion is in full swing and there's an interest to be clear about what that is. I didn't mean a perfectly still mind with no thoughts. I'm talking about a certain level of quiet that allows for noticing what's going on, rather than being carried away with what's going on. When the compulsion is in 'full swing', it's very difficult to see. Have you ever been full-on enraged or humiliated or awash in guilt? Typically there's not much clear seeing going on in the middle of that. It's when things quiet down and, in reflection, you can actually see what's happening. Even non-full swing reactionary behavior is difficult to see without some level of quiet. Being carried away is not actually dependent on how much mental noise there is. An analogy I've used before is sitting in a noise restaurant. Since you don't actually have much if any interest in what's being said around you, nor do you identify that noise as being your own, there's no issue. You can sit quietly, you can carry on a conversation without being carried away at all. In reflection is also a very deceptive time to gain any clarity as you're inevitably bound to be examining memories. The quieting down is not something I would discourage at all (my screen name is silence). I would say that anything other than temporary quieting down is a result rather than a cause of clarity.
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Post by silence on Jan 2, 2014 17:59:58 GMT -5
When mind is quiet there really isn't any 'self business' to see as we're literally talking about a compulsive movement of thought. The best time to see, is precisely when that compulsion is in full swing and there's an interest to be clear about what that is. Yes that may be the most important time to' witness' as Quin phrase's it, the thoughts and rage the irresistible pull into unconsciousness . It's amazing to watch the process and even more amazing to see it sometimes disappear into nothing because of witnessing. Yes. If you want to see something, outwardly or inwardly, it's best to look when it's present. That's where unshakable certainty comes from.
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Post by quinn on Jan 2, 2014 18:28:36 GMT -5
I didn't mean a perfectly still mind with no thoughts. I'm talking about a certain level of quiet that allows for noticing what's going on, rather than being carried away with what's going on. When the compulsion is in 'full swing', it's very difficult to see. Have you ever been full-on enraged or humiliated or awash in guilt? Typically there's not much clear seeing going on in the middle of that. It's when things quiet down and, in reflection, you can actually see what's happening. Even non-full swing reactionary behavior is difficult to see without some level of quiet. Being carried away is not actually dependent on how much mental noise there is. An analogy I've used before is sitting in a noise restaurant. Since you don't actually have much if any interest in what's being said around you, nor do you identify that noise as being your own, there's no issue. You can sit quietly, you can carry on a conversation without being carried away at all. In reflection is also a very deceptive time to gain any clarity as you're inevitably bound to be examining memories. The quieting down is not something I would discourage at all (my screen name is silence). I would say that anything other than temporary quieting down is a result rather than a cause of clarity. Good analogy, and I understand your point there. It's the interest, not the noise itself, that's leading us down the bunny trail. As far as reflecting on memories - even if it isn't perfect or it gets a bit distorted, I still see it as worthwhile. At least we're looking in the right place. Seems to me, after awhile, clarity builds on itself.
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Post by enigma on Jan 2, 2014 19:25:20 GMT -5
I didn't mean a perfectly still mind with no thoughts. I'm talking about a certain level of quiet that allows for noticing what's going on, rather than being carried away with what's going on. When the compulsion is in 'full swing', it's very difficult to see. Have you ever been full-on enraged or humiliated or awash in guilt? Typically there's not much clear seeing going on in the middle of that. It's when things quiet down and, in reflection, you can actually see what's happening. Even non-full swing reactionary behavior is difficult to see without some level of quiet. Being carried away is not actually dependent on how much mental noise there is. An analogy I've used before is sitting in a noise restaurant. Since you don't actually have much if any interest in what's being said around you, nor do you identify that noise as being your own, there's no issue. You can sit quietly, you can carry on a conversation without being carried away at all. In reflection is also a very deceptive time to gain any clarity as you're inevitably bound to be examining memories. The quieting down is not something I would discourage at all (my screen name is silence). I would say that anything other than temporary quieting down is a result rather than a cause of clarity. Yes, mind gets still when it loses it's motivation to move.
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sound
New Member
Posts: 32
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Post by sound on Jan 31, 2014 7:26:20 GMT -5
We learn in our guts, not just in our brains, that a life of joy is not in seeking happiness, but in experiencing and simply being the circumstances of our life as they are; not in fulfilling the needs of life; not in avoiding pain, but in being pain when it is necessary to do so. To large an order? Too hard? On the contrary, it is the easy way." Hi quinn ... I am not sure how long ago you created this thread but that's not important anyway ... that last paragraph up there caught my attention ... i reckon it is about what we realize, in any given moment ... i can feel high as a kite being reminded of my limitations and inadequacies (by my own reckonings of course) ... its true ... happiness doesn't always stem/or is born of so-called 'pleasantries' ... that's my experience any way ... after many years of 'believing' otherwise ...
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Post by quinn on Jan 31, 2014 8:35:08 GMT -5
We learn in our guts, not just in our brains, that a life of joy is not in seeking happiness, but in experiencing and simply being the circumstances of our life as they are; not in fulfilling the needs of life; not in avoiding pain, but in being pain when it is necessary to do so. To large an order? Too hard? On the contrary, it is the easy way." Hi quinn ... I am not sure how long ago you created this thread but that's not important anyway ... that last paragraph up there caught my attention ... i reckon it is about what we realize, in any given moment ... i can feel high as a kite being reminded of my limitations and inadequacies (by my own reckonings of course) ... its true ... happiness doesn't always stem/or is born of so-called 'pleasantries' ... that's my experience any way ... after many years of 'believing' otherwise ... Hi sound. It seems like ages ago. Just to be clear, the words above are not mine but I very much resonate with them. To me, they're talking about living fully, with whatever comes along. Not sure you mean by "it is about what we realize"...?
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sound
New Member
Posts: 32
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Post by sound on Feb 1, 2014 6:18:45 GMT -5
Not sure you mean by "it is about what we realize"...? Realizations somehow seem to ease the senseless, self-inflicted suffering lol ...
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