Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 1, 2013 12:28:45 GMT -5
We all know what thinking is, we spend the majority of our time there. Words just rattle around up there, a continuous stream of sense or nonsense, symbolic abstract representation at least once removed from reality. That's the function of the superficial layer of mind (other functions are emotion, and acts via muscular movement). But there is another way to live. What is deeper than thought? What is prior to thought? Your awareness is separate from thought. Your attention is separate from thought. The problem is that one's attention and one's awareness become the slave of thought, the deeper aspect of our being is subjected to the more shallow. Now, you can't function in the world without minimal awareness of your exterior surroundings. The question is, what do you value? Now, you have to get a taste of the difference between living mostly through thought, OTOH, and living primarily through one's awareness OTOH. We are thoroughly familiar with what it means to live through thought. You can begin exploring living through awareness by sensing, or watching one's breath. Try something simple, we all almost always have tension is our facial muscles. Right now, for a few seconds, become aware of the tension in your face. Or become aware of the pressure of your body against your chair as you sit. What happens when you try these? Thoughts almost immediately pop up. Thoughts just magically appear in the space a little above and behind your eyes. Now you have a choice, you can continue to live 'as normal', through your thoughts (which are necessarily at least once removed from reality), or you can take back your awareness, and live primarily through your awareness, secondarily through thought. But you have to really get a feel for the distinction, a taste, and value one over the other, or else you will simply disappear back into ordinary life. One thing you can try anytime when you think to do so, ask yourself where your attention is. These are just words. You have to actually explore this for yourself, find it in yourself. It is possible to find the deeper and more essential in yourself. sdp What most can not accept is that thought is not in any way separate and that there is no escape. Yeah, do we really have to practice that which we already are? And rightly so, we never take responsibility for what is being perceived and consequently what we think about it. |
|
|
|
Post by laughter on Jun 1, 2013 13:08:03 GMT -5
Awareness as a practice creates wacky over spiritual people that you can spot from a mile away. What most can not accept is that thought is not in any way separate and that there is no escape. Yeah, do we really have to practice that which we already are?And rightly so, we never take responsibility for what is being perceived and consequently what we think about it. I'd answer, no, of course not, but in the same breath I'd say that the only practice worth the name is the practice of what we are never not, which is here and now. I took what Silence had to say as a cautionary note that simply isn't untrue, with an open mind toward the possibility that not everyone who practices watching thought comes off as some sort of hippie-freak in public  . |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 1, 2013 14:26:38 GMT -5
Yeah, do we really have to practice that which we already are?And rightly so, we never take responsibility for what is being perceived and consequently what we think about it. I'd answer, no, of course not, but in the same breath I'd say that the only practice worth the name is the practice of what we are never not, which is here and now. I took what Silence had to say as a cautionary note that simply isn't untrue, with an open mind toward the possibility that not everyone who practices watching thought comes off as some sort of hippie-freak in public . If your saying that we only have to stop the practice of believing that we are 'other' than this moment... Then I'm in full agreement. |
|
|
|
Post by laughter on Jun 1, 2013 15:07:51 GMT -5
I'd answer, no, of course not, but in the same breath I'd say that the only practice worth the name is the practice of what we are never not, which is here and now. I took what Silence had to say as a cautionary note that simply isn't untrue, with an open mind toward the possibility that not everyone who practices watching thought comes off as some sort of hippie-freak in public . If your saying that we only have to stop the practice of believing that we are 'other' than this moment... Then I'm in full agreement. ahhhhh ... I've said more than enough  ... our agreement or not is a matter of no importance. Namaste. |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 1, 2013 16:32:40 GMT -5
If your saying that we only have to stop the practice of believing that we are 'other' than this moment... Then I'm in full agreement. ahhhhh ... I've said more than enough ... our agreement or not is a matter of no importance. Namaste. I don't see it as a matter of our agreement or not being of no importance, but rather that they are both equally important... It's subtle, but it's the difference between nothing matters and everything matters equally. Namaste |
|
|
|
Post by silence on Jun 1, 2013 17:58:56 GMT -5
Nobody is risking anything to escape. The whole thing is imagination. There isn't anything to win or lose. Well now, that makes it easy to absolve yourself of whatever you choose, convenient eh? It's the story told by those that fear risking anything, but have no reservations judging others.. You say "there isn't anything to lose", but you will choose to maintain and defend your existence.. Be well.. I don't have any idea what you're talking about. |
|
|
|
Post by silence on Jun 1, 2013 17:59:56 GMT -5
Nobody is risking anything to escape. The whole thing is imagination. There isn't anything to win or lose. (1) Before studying Zen, mountains were mountains and rivers were rivers. (2) While working with my Zen Master, mountains were no longer mountains and rivers were no longer rivers. (3) Upon enlightenment, mountains were once again mountains and rivers were once again rivers. You have moved from (1) to (3), bypassing (2). (1) does not equal (3). sdp Is this your account or are you regurgitating information to me? |
|
|
|
Post by stardustpilgrim on Jun 1, 2013 19:21:20 GMT -5
(1) Before studying Zen, mountains were mountains and rivers were rivers. (2) While working with my Zen Master, mountains were no longer mountains and rivers were no longer rivers. (3) Upon enlightenment, mountains were once again mountains and rivers were once again rivers. You have moved from (1) to (3), bypassing (2). (1) does not equal (3). sdp Is this your account or are you regurgitating information to me? When I was a kid I liked to put jigsaw puzzles together. You do the outer edge first because the outer edge pieces are straight, the easiest. And then you just look for pieces that fit, either by matching shape & or color. This just seemed to fit.....your piece........... sdp |
|
|
|
Post by silence on Jun 1, 2013 19:48:41 GMT -5
Yeah, do we really have to practice that which we already are?And rightly so, we never take responsibility for what is being perceived and consequently what we think about it. I'd answer, no, of course not, but in the same breath I'd say that the only practice worth the name is the practice of what we are never not, which is here and now. I took what Silence had to say as a cautionary note that simply isn't untrue, with an open mind toward the possibility that not everyone who practices watching thought comes off as some sort of hippie-freak in public . To be clear, I'm not trying to say don't practice anything. Just that "awareness" is a pointer and not a practice. Making it into a practice is what creates unnatural behavior for just about anyone actively practicing it. |
|
|
|
Post by silence on Jun 1, 2013 19:59:38 GMT -5
Is this your account or are you regurgitating information to me? When I was a kid I liked to put jigsaw puzzles together. You do the outer edge first because the outer edge pieces are straight, the easiest. And then you just look for pieces that fit, either by matching shape & or color. This just seemed to fit.....your piece........... sdp What? |
|
|
|
Post by Reefs on Jun 1, 2013 20:30:31 GMT -5
Yeah, do we really have to practice that which we already are?And rightly so, we never take responsibility for what is being perceived and consequently what we think about it. I'd answer, no, of course not, but in the same breath I'd say that the only practice worth the name is the practice of what we are never not, which is here and now. I took what Silence had to say as a cautionary note that simply isn't untrue, with an open mind toward the possibility that not everyone who practices watching thought comes off as some sort of hippie-freak in public . Dear Dude/Dudette, Awareness as a practice is following an ideal (i.e. concept) which necessarily would involve a lot of self-monitoring (i.e. watching thoughts) and usually ends with highly contrived behavior (i.e. hippie freak) as seen so many times here on the forum (e.g. full embodiment of christ energies, last steps on the way to pure buddhahood etc.) and not to forget the need to spread the good news with obtrusive progress reports. Sincerely, The Great Blue Hole Of Belize |
|
|
|
Post by Reefs on Jun 1, 2013 20:53:36 GMT -5
I'd answer, no, of course not, but in the same breath I'd say that the only practice worth the name is the practice of what we are never not, which is here and now. I took what Silence had to say as a cautionary note that simply isn't untrue, with an open mind toward the possibility that not everyone who practices watching thought comes off as some sort of hippie-freak in public . If your saying that we only have to stop the practice of believing that we are 'other' than this moment... Then I'm in full agreement. Dear Dude/Dudette, Yeah, stopping all practice as the ultimate practice would be the perfect escape plan!  Sincerely, The Great Blue Hole Of Belize |
|
|
|
Post by tzujanli on Jun 1, 2013 20:54:02 GMT -5
Greetings.. I'd answer, no, of course not, but in the same breath I'd say that the only practice worth the name is the practice of what we are never not, which is here and now. I took what Silence had to say as a cautionary note that simply isn't untrue, with an open mind toward the possibility that not everyone who practices watching thought comes off as some sort of hippie-freak in public . To be clear, I'm not trying to say don't practice anything. Just that "awareness" is a pointer and not a practice. Making it into a practice is what creates unnatural behavior for just about anyone actively practicing it. 'Experience' is the practice of awareness, the quality of the practice is influenced by the clarity of the practitioner.. I'm curious, when you say, "awareness" is a pointer, what is your understanding of what awareness is pointing at? Be well.. |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 1, 2013 22:35:51 GMT -5
I'd answer, no, of course not, but in the same breath I'd say that the only practice worth the name is the practice of what we are never not, which is here and now. I took what Silence had to say as a cautionary note that simply isn't untrue, with an open mind toward the possibility that not everyone who practices watching thought comes off as some sort of hippie-freak in public . To be clear, I'm not trying to say don't practice anything. Just that "awareness" is a pointer and not a practice. Making it into a practice is what creates unnatural behavior for just about anyone actively practicing it. Awareness is a pointer?? My friend, without awareness there are no pointers or practices... We are aware of the concept of awareness and not vice-versa. |
|
|
|
Post by enigma on Jun 1, 2013 23:45:14 GMT -5
To be clear, I'm not trying to say don't practice anything. Just that "awareness" is a pointer and not a practice. Making it into a practice is what creates unnatural behavior for just about anyone actively practicing it. Awareness is a pointer?? My friend, without awareness there are no pointers or practices... We are aware of the concept of awareness and not vice-versa. What? |
|
.
... our agreement or not is a matter of no importance.
