Nontwin Guided Meditation with Michael Taft
Let’s start. What I need you to do is simply, sort of, settle again into your seat, your asana. I need you to simply verify in with your self to see what it’s prefer to be you proper now, feeling your physique and your feelings and taking the climate report in your thoughts and your entire being. No matter’s occurring simply let that be fully okay, even when it’s actually disagreeable for now, simply let that be simply the best way it’s and that’s tremendous. So we’re checking in with ourselves, seeing what it’s prefer to be you proper now, and nevertheless that’s, is good for now.
Good, and now I’d such as you to simply do a slight imaginal journey with me right here and picture that you just’re sitting like an ocean, like a boundless, huge ocean. It has that stunning placidity and leisure of water, there’s zero stress in any a part of it. It’s actually unfastened and open. We’re not shifting in any approach anymore we’re merely resting as water, huge, open, and on this case, completely clear water. So simply fake to be sitting like an ocean no matter meaning for you and see if you’ll find that sense of relaxation, that sense of leisure, and ease, and a few sense of actual openness and readability. And spot that spotlight or focus could also be tight however consciousness itself is like this ocean.
Consciousness itself is of course relaxed and relaxed, naturally extensive open and easy, naturally clear. And permit consciousness to note, with out effort and with out focusing, with none consideration in any respect, simply permit this wide-open consciousness to note the rising and falling of the breath. If you wish to you possibly can even see it as a wave within the ocean however minimally, simply let your already extensive open, awake consciousness simply discover that the breath is rising and falling. Don’t put any stress on it, no tightness, no focus, simply extensive open, noticing that the breath, the wave of the breath rises and falls within the huge ocean of wide-open consciousness. It doesn’t take any effort in any respect. It’s simple and relaxed.
I need you to simply maintain permitting consciousness to note that breath wave, once more, with out stress, with out focus, simply know that it’s taking place. And you’ll maintain it virtually just like the heartbeat or background of the apply. And as you’re doing that I invite you to do some bodily leisure starting along with your head and face. So simply invite particularly your face to simply let go of any fastened expression or tightness or stress, not stretching or shifting, however simply permitting stress to empty from the face and get replaced with a way of ease and peace within the face. So that you just discover your brow muscle tissue stress-free somewhat bit and feeling sort of good in your eyebrows and particularly the tense muscle tissue round your eyes launch and chill out, your eyelids let go, your cheeks and mouth and lips chill out, and your jaw releases to the place the place your higher and decrease tooth are usually not touching. And simply discover that that already brings a deeper sense of ease, a deeper sense of letting go that you may tune into. It doesn’t require any effort, it’s only a sort of letting go of effort, letting go of tightening on function, simply releasing that.
After which, let’s do the identical factor with our neck and throat, and shoulders, releasing any stress and changing that with openness and ease, and area. Now what generally occurs is: if folks discover stress in a spot, they’ll begin to battle it, and attempt to do away with it and all that, and that’s not what we’re doing. It’s merely no matter you possibly can discover that you may simply let go, simply let go and luxuriate in that. And something that stays–needs to remain tense, then don’t battle it, simply let it’s the best way it’s.
If you end up getting drowsy, go forward and open your eyes and sit up somewhat straighter. It makes it somewhat simpler. You understand there’s the muscle in your throat that if you happen to chill out, it makes your voice deeper. It’s only a sort of leisure. So if you happen to can chill out that, go forward and try this. And simply really feel now how your face and neck and throat and shoulders are. There’s just a bit extra ease. There’s somewhat more room. And permit your arms and wrists and arms and fingers to simply go completely limp, limp like moist noodles, zero stress. No want in any respect to do something along with your arms or arms or fingers. And spot how good that feels, you may even really feel somewhat additional blood move, or some tingling in your arms due to the relief. And so now simply discover that the arms really feel good and the shoulders and neck and throat really feel good and the face feels good, or no less than somewhat extra relaxed, somewhat extra open. And simply tune into that as a sort of elementary expression of the relaxed ease and openness of your already present spacious consciousness which is sort of a huge open ocean. Simply tune into that. And drop now extra deeply into letting go, noticing the rising and falling of that breath wave with none effort, and the way good it feels to simply launch and open. Awake, very clear, very vivid, and really relaxed.
Should you can simply launch any stress in your diaphragm, in your stomach, let that chill out and be relaxed. Your decrease again area to round your kidneys simply opens up, takes half within the respiration, lets go somewhat bit. After which discover, within the pelvic area, any stress there stress-free and opening, and your hips–your hip joints–releasing. Possibly your legs fall, simply naturally fall open, simply barely extra and your legs themselves grow to be limp like moist rags, no stress of any variety.
And also you discover how this sort of relaxed, tension-free openness brings you to a spot of sitting nonetheless with none stress in any respect. That is the sitting nonetheless of letting go and releasing.
And spot how, as your physique turns into extra spacious feeling and open and releases and lets go, the core of your thoughts can simply sort of chill out and virtually soften, possibly simply soften into the ocean. In order that the core of the thoughts itself is spacious and relaxed grabbing onto nothing, holding on to nothing, releasing and opening, and letting be.
And let’s simply sit with that collectively, awake, vivid and clear, an enormous ocean of consciousness noticing the wave of the breath rising and falling with none effort. Should you discover the thoughts grabbing onto one thing, simply chill out permit it to fall again open with none effort. And no matter it was grabbing onto simply toddles off. Every time the thoughts grabs on, simply chill out, let that open, and let no matter it grabbed onto simply go on its merry approach.
The thoughts right here is sort of a huge spacious open ocean, grabbing onto, hanging onto nothing in any respect, merely noticing the rising and falling of the breath with none stress or consideration. Good, superb, now let go of even noticing that breath wave and simply permit consciousness itself to relaxation in itself, noticing the great openness and ease of consciousness. It’s already there, there’s nothing to do, it’s already current but in addition it’s great stability. If, for no matter cause, that’s too difficult, simply maintain noticing the breath wave. In any other case, we will use consciousness itself as its personal meditation object, merely resting in consciousness of itself with none effort, it’s already conscious, nothing to do.
Now, if I used to be a conventional trainer, I’d yell actually loud proper now however as a substitute, I’m simply going to ring this bell. We’re going to proceed meditating however I’m simply going to ring the bell as soon as simply to sort of brighten issues up in right here a bit. So bell’s coming. Let’s hearken to that bell.
Good. Now we’re going to do one thing barely extra lively. I need you to easily discover no matter feelings are arising, if any are arising, and see that these feelings which might be arising are empty. Which means: they’re there, you possibly can really feel the emotion nevertheless it’s additionally sort of not there, it’s like a mirrored image in a mirror, or like a rainbow or a cloud. There’s a sense tone of emotion that’s there and on the similar time, it’s acquired a sure sort of nebulosity, which we historically name vacancy. And if there aren’t any feelings there, then discover that feeling of emotional peace or relaxation, and see the vacancy of that as effectively. So every time emotion arises of any type, regardless of how small, we’re simply noticing its vacancy, very simply, very naturally. It’s not one thing you possibly can seize and hold on to. It’s not one thing you possibly can put in a field. It’s not one thing you possibly can label and place in a show case, it’s repeatedly shifting, altering, and in a approach, virtually like a mirrored image of an emotion–there and never there. Although you already know you’re feeling issues, you possibly can by no means actually outline it or pinpoint it or decide on a remaining description. It’s repeatedly shifting and altering and nebulous. Discover that property of any feelings or moods or emotions which might be arising. In our conceptual thoughts we wish to make them into distinct issues but when we’re permitting consciousness to contact it freely and overtly and immediately we discover it’s not a factor.
Good. Now persevering with to do this, discover the identical factor about any pondering that’s occurring, any sort of pondering. Ideas are arising, however we will’t inform the place they’re coming from, they’re staying for a short while, however repeatedly altering after which they vanish and we don’t know the place they went. So, similar to with the emotions, with the feelings, it’s very laborious to say {that a} thought is a factor or one thing we will seize onto. And particularly if you happen to’re utilizing thought constructs to attempt to information your meditation, or do it proper, or decide your self about it, all of that’s simply the identical factor; simply the arising and passing of a way of motion within the thoughts however nothing you possibly can hold on to. You could attempt to hold on to it, it’s possible you’ll attempt to relaxation in it nevertheless it by no means rests, it’s not dependable like that, it’s empty. Ideas are like shining projections on nothing, simply there, but in addition sort of not there.
Discover that now. It’s virtually like on this huge open ocean of vivid clear consciousness that could be very awake there are simply ripples of thought and ripples of feeling, nonetheless simply extra ocean, not one way or the other completely different, nothing to hold onto. Now let’s do the identical factor with any concrete seeming physique sensations, all that discomfort in your legs, or some feeling in your again, or no matter is occurring merely arising in consciousness like ripples within the water, not one way or the other completely different than the water, not one way or the other capable of injure the water or hurt the water, there however not there. Ideas, feelings, physique sensations all merely like goals, like clouds, like reflections within the water, there but in addition not there. Simply let go, don’t hold on, there’s nothing to hold on to. If it’s tightening, simply chill out. Discover that the huge area of consciousness, the ocean of consciousness is undisturbed, it’s completely relaxed, open and restful no matter what’s arising. Feelings are empty, ideas are empty, physique sensations are empty.
Now discover that even that sense of being you has that very same high quality, it’s like a mirrored image in a mirror, there however not there. That entire story of you; likes and dislikes, your historical past, the what you’re like, and the place you’re coming from all of that’s merely a mirrored image within the mirror of consciousness. It’s undoubtedly there, it’s simply additionally sort of not there. It’s like a dream, goals are there however if you get up the place are they? Discover that that entire sense of self is sort of a dream. Don’t be the sense of self. Be what notices it. Discover that even the concept you’re doing a meditation, am I doing it proper? am I doing it incorrect? how am I doing this? its going effectively, this isn’t going effectively, that’s all simply empty ideas, just a few passing thought and feeling, like ripples within the ocean of consciousness, completely empty, completely to not be held onto.
And once we lastly really discover our personal already current, completely easeful, open awakeness it’s at all times been there since beginningless time, we discover that that’s simply tremendous, that’s at peace. However it’s additionally playful and spontaneous and really alive, not caught up in a narrative, contemporary and current and pure. It’s by no means not been there, it’s by no means not been the bottom of your individual being, nothing to repair, nothing to alter, extensive open, completely current.
When consciousness acknowledges itself, acknowledges what it’s at all times been it feels a sort of pleasure. It’s simply the enjoyment of openness, the enjoyment of no constriction, and likewise the enjoyment of connection. There’s no lack of connection and togetherness. Simply discover that kindness and pleasure and connection radiating out in all instructions, bringing reduction in all instructions to everybody all over the place. Kindness, peace, and ease to all beings all over the place.
Good. Go forward and let go of the apply. Be happy to maneuver and stretch.
Dharma Speak
You may also discover that the spaciousness, the openness, the wakefulness, the notice doesn’t go away, didn’t go anyplace. It’s nonetheless there as a result of we’re not producing it, or one way or the other by getting in simply the suitable spot of meditation making it occur, or one thing like that. It’s at all times there. We’re simply getting nonetheless sufficient to note that. Whenever you tune into that time and again, as a result of it’s at all times there to tune into, finally, as a substitute of the concept of you tuning into it, you form of understand that you just’re simply returning to the place you’re already at, or sort of recognizing what’s already there. The extra that occurs the extra it’s sort of a humorous factor.
I believe I used to be mentioning this verse from Rumi Jalaluddin the opposite day. It’s fairly well-known and I gained’t quote the poem appropriately however you already know the poem is describing the anguish and angst and energy of knocking on the door and knocking on the door attempting to get inside after which realizing, oh, I’m knocking from the within, already there. All of that was simply sort of like a mistake or a humorous recreation, I’m already right here there was nothing to do and that’s the sensation. That’s the sensation once we acknowledge our personal awakeness. It’s such as you’ve been attempting to do the meditation proper, and also you’ve been attempting to get concentrated, and also you’ve been, you already know, you’re warring with distraction, otherwise you’re warring along with your kleshas, otherwise you’re warring with you’re feeling too drained otherwise you really feel too–what’s the correct time period I’m on the lookout for right here? the phrase that’s arising is feisty that’s not the precise phrase I’m on the lookout for. Flighty, somewhat flighty, you already know, simply sort of an excessive amount of pace in your head so that you’re attempting to alter that, otherwise you’re simply continually combating with the system to love get it proper. Received to get it proper.
And that’s the identical factor, I’m knocking and knocking and knocking, and then you definately understand you’re knocking from the within. There was nothing to get proper there as a result of it’s the notice that’s already there, that’s already secure, that’s already clear, that’s already awake, that’s already fully free and joyous. There’s nothing to alter about it. And abruptly, you possibly can simply chill out, it’s okay. The attention is already awake. After which, you tighten up and neglect that once more, however simply chill out and acknowledge once more, after which chill out and acknowledge once more. When you acknowledge that even somewhat bit, and then you definately get sort of assured, oh yeah, I’m recognizing it.
You’ll be able to’t ever neglect what that’s as a result of it’s simply–it’s such an uncommon factor. Have you ever ever learn in A Stranger in a Unusual Land they discuss how Michael Valentine Smith pushes folks 90 levels to every little thing. It simply disappears them on this form of magic approach within the e-book, acknowledged as a sort of geometry. Like there’s a spot 90 levels from every little thing and that’s form of what it appears like the notice permeates every little thing however in one other humorous approach it’s 90 levels from every little thing that we’ve been taught to concentrate to, like emotion, and naturally, emotion is extraordinarily necessary, useful lovely, helpful, deep, wealthy, generally disturbing, upsetting, life-wrecking, generally crucial factor and most therapeutic factor.
And so, there’s no sense by which I’m saying that’s not necessary or not there. But additionally it’s completely different than we predict it’s as a result of it’s a mirrored image or arising in consciousness. Should you didn’t comprehend it was there, that’s completely different. Identical factor with ideas and for many of us both our ideas or our feelings are going to be sort of central to gluing our sense of self collectively, often each. However a few of us are extra like sort of psychological assemble folks, a few of us are extra, you already know, deep emoters, however everybody’s acquired each of these occurring. However within the case of ideas, it’s very easy to simply glom onto these and seize onto them and never–I don’t simply imply phrases, it’s not simply phrases, like we have a tendency to consider ideas as just like the sentences in our heads, nevertheless it’s additionally simply the general constructions, the ideas, the frames that we’re setting issues in, and the point of view. I don’t imply visible
viewpoint, I imply sort of our sense of the place we’re in comparison with them. All that’s coming below the phrase thought or lets say thought assemble, or ideas and all in the identical approach because the feelings, that’s there. We are able to construct an airplane utilizing that and it’ll fly and you already know the stuff is beneficial nevertheless it’s additionally completely different than what we predict it’s. It’s reflecting, it’s an arising in consciousness, like a ripple in an ocean and it’s not separate from the ocean. It’s not one thing to seize onto.
Similar to feelings, you possibly can’t hold your hat on it, you possibly can’t relaxation on it, you possibly can’t try to be that. And that’s all we do is try to be these issues. And once we try to be these issues, we discover time and again, that you may’t really try this and that’s irritating. So we attempt to repeatedly battle to make these one way or the other secure, one way or the other a spot to relaxation, one way or the other one thing to be. And so they by no means might be that. And there wasn’t a millisecond in your whole life the place you’ve been that. That’s like believing you’re the avatar in your online game. It’s there, you possibly can see it, however that’s not one thing you might be. However what’s noticing that? How do you even comprehend it’s there?
Once more, the notice is central. It’s how you already know there’s a thought assemble there in any respect, or what the thought assemble is. And so, the sport right here is to to not do it proper, or to not be the right thought assemble, or to not have the right emotion, or to one way or the other stabilize these, or one way or the other make these all come into focus good, however slightly to simply cease grabbing on to any of that lengthy sufficient to simply discover the factor that’s at all times there.
The noticing itself. The noticing itself. And that’s what I imply, it’s sort of 90 levels to every little thing as a result of we’ve by no means been skilled to do this. It’s actually really fairly simple however as a result of we’ve by no means been skilled to do it, it feels just like the weirdest factor on this planet. And the usual system, the usual sort of like–if you happen to get into form of the traditions and the scriptures and stuff what they’ll say is that it’s–I’ll neglect the total listing–however that it’s like really easy you simply can’t consider you’re doing it proper. And it’s so apparent that you may’t consider that that’s what individuals are attempting to get you to see, and it’s so good you possibly can’t consider that that’s actually it. There’s yet one more, I can’t keep in mind what it’s proper now, nevertheless it’s like actually that simple, and actually that apparent, and actually that good. When you sort of get the hold of what we’re attempting to get you to note, which is the noticing.
In a bunch of my courses, we’ve been going by means of this lovely translation of a poem a Sixteenth-century Tibetan poet and grasp, Jigmé Lingpa. The e-book is translated by Ken McCleod, it’s known as A Trackless Path. However in there, he says one thing actually attention-grabbing, which is: as a substitute of glomming onto the arising, be what is aware of the arising, be what notices it. And he has a very attention-grabbing metaphor for that, he says that’s like being an oak peg within the laborious floor. It’s a really odd metaphor when you consider it. All these traditions discuss area and openness and ease and there’s nothing to hold onto however he’s saying that sense of coming from consciousness itself, openness, not a thought assemble, not any sort of assemble, however simply consciousness, even consciousness, not as a assemble not as a factor, that has this property of being like an oak peg within the laborious floor.
And although it too is empty, it does have this attention-grabbing sense of being tremendous secure and really unruffled, although a number of issues are altering. It has this sense it’s at all times been there, it’s by no means been completely different. And so forth now we’re not deifying that or refining that into the one everlasting factor, it’s nonetheless empty as I’m saying however nonetheless it has this property of–in comparison with
the constructs–of being like an oak peg within the laborious floor. It’s very attention-grabbing once we study to meditate by, let’s say, specializing in the breath, which is a phenomenal factor to do, I imply please try this, it’s an awesome meditation. We’re sort of borrowing the steadiness of the breath to stabilize our thoughts, proper? Or let’s say, you’re meditating on taking a look at a cushion in entrance of you, we’re sort of borrowing the steadiness of that visible presentation to nonetheless our thoughts. However finally, as you try this sort of meditation increasingly and extra you understand the factor itself just isn’t secure in any respect, it was simply comparatively secure.
However the extra you discover it the extra–relying on the way you’re doing the meditation–you may see it flip right into a sort of like buzzy tremendous vibratory static or simply immediately see its vacancy, which is like only a reflection. And so the factor that you’re utilizing to stabilize the thoughts, finally, you see is totally unstable and what’s really secure is what’s like Thoughts with a capital M. The attention itself is tremendously secure and the objects of consciousness are usually not. And so, we will permit what’s already there nothing particular, simply the truth that you’re awake, proper, now to be its personal stability.
It’s very attention-grabbing, it’s very highly effective, it’s sort of liberating, or I might say radically liberating.
Particularly the extra you discover that that’s at all times accessible, at all times accessible and that’s if you’re like, oh I’ve been knocking and knocking to get inside to the great place however I’m knocking from inside, the great place I completely acquired it like I’m already there. It’s already there, I didn’t should make it, I didn’t have to love crawl my approach there. It’s already there. So good, that’s my raving for this night. Any questions or feedback and even studies from you all?
Questioner 1: What’s the operate of this not shifting within the meditation?
Michael: Complete leisure.
Questioner 1: What concerning the ache that’s build up?
Michael: Yeah, so if ache is build up then primary be happy subsequent time to sit down within the wiggle room and never expertise that ache, that’s nice. However as you get increasingly used to sitting like this, you’ll discover that the ache doesn’t come up as a result of your physique simply will get used to sitting nonetheless, or if it does, that turns into one other object to note the vacancy of and means that you can join extra deeply with the notice that’s noticing. It’s really actually, actually useful to sit down nonetheless however you don’t wish to do it earlier than you’re prepared as a result of then it’s sort of simply agony, which is why we kindly present the opposite area. Finally although, you’ll discover that if you chill out sufficient your physique simply–that’s what I used to be saying we don’t keep nonetheless rigidly, we’re not holding ourselves nonetheless right here, you’re stress-free to the purpose the place you possibly can’t transfer as a result of if you happen to have been to attempt to transfer you’d should tense again up. And Should you get used to doing that and also you sit such as you’re sitting in a approach that you just’re used to sitting, your physique will discover this spot the place it may sit, the place it simply feels good the entire time.
So it simply takes somewhat getting used to, however when you’re used to it, it’s like there’s sort of a BING! You simply wish to simply be so relaxed and open that you just simply, sort of, can’t transfer. So it’s actually finally very, very good.
Once I was first studying to sit down this fashion it was like jail and oh I simply gotta make it by means of it, and that may be helpful. Truly, a number of traditions work with that nevertheless it’s okay to not push it additional than you possibly can push it proper now. However finally, you’ll discover–it’d take months or years or no matter–however finally, you simply sit there and it simply feels good to simply actually chill out. As a result of on a regular basis you’re prepared to maneuver–that is the humorous factor–readiness to maneuver is like 15-20 p.c stress within the muscle tissue. That’s what readiness is. And so if you happen to let go of that, actually let go of it, you compromise right into a sort of stillness that could be very, very nice after which your thoughts will begin to chill out. So the physique and thoughts are one factor, proper? In order that great leisure model stillness within the bodily physique begins to induce relaxed open stillness within the thoughts, whereas if we’re retaining the physique actually tense and that’s like we’re attempting to maintain the thoughts tense. Generally we attempt to get thought-free by retaining the thoughts tense. That doesn’t assist. It completely doesn’t work. Or you already know, if we’re simply continually fidgeting and scratching and altering our hair and zipping and unzipping our garments, or no matter, our thoughts simply will do the identical factor. So finally, we simply study that basically, you already know, that is even the key of jhana. The key of jhana just isn’t one way or the other excessive focus, it’s really studying the way to chill out, actually chill out. As a result of once we actually chill out the physique, the thoughts actually relaxes, and as a substitute of being some sort of tight management that’s the actual actual focus, the thoughts is simply completely nonetheless. And it comes from opening, releasing, letting go, liberating stress, proper? In order that’s why we’re sitting nonetheless, okay?
Yeah however, you already know, one factor I’ll say is typically it feels along with your legs like in the event that they go to sleep they’re gonna–you’re gonna be finished meditating and your proper leg from the knee down will simply snap off or one thing and that’s not gonna occur. They only get somewhat numb generally as a result of the nerve is simply barely pressed just a bit bit and so long as you stand up sluggish they’ll be fully tremendous. Nice query although, thanks. What else?
Questioner 2: Is there a degree past which we will’t go? Is there a degree that’s really invisible once we attempt to focus the notice? In different phrases, I used to be shocked how a lot I might really feel that occuring however mentally I’m pondering I would like to have the ability to choose the factor up and have a look at it which implies you’re separate from it.
Michael: Yeah, and in order that’s coming from idea, proper? That’s coming from the concept: there’s me over right here taking a look at consciousness over there and so naturally such as you’re saying, you get that feeling of–I’ve acquired to have the ability to choose it up and have a look at it or maintain it or give attention to it. However you possibly can let go of each little bit of that and since consciousness is conscious it doesn’t require any focus. You don’t have to have a look at it with tight consideration in any approach, it’s already conscious of itself. It’s not a factor that you just’re placing into focus, it’s already there. In any other case, you’d be useless or unconscious or one thing. Is there an expertise taking place proper now?
Questioner 2: There’s a consciousness…
Michael: No, reply the query. Is there an expertise taking place?
Questioner 2: Yeah
Michael: That’s it. You simply did it, you don’t should tighten it in any respect to have a look at it in some particular approach. That’s what I imply. It’s really easy that you may’t consider it. It’s simply that nakedness of the truth that there’s expertise. So something you’re doing to attempt to get an angle on it or flip round to have a look at, all of that’s simply nonsense. And I did it for years, so I completely relate to why you’re doing it nevertheless it’ll be fairly literal, throw it out, simply come again to it’s already conscious of itself. It’s that simple.
Okay. does that make sense to you? Are you able to do it proper now? Yeah? No?
Questioner 2: Sure.
Michael: Okay, proper. It’s proper there, no focus obligatory. So isn’t it attention-grabbing, we sort of make what I’d name like a cartesian theater in our head, like okay there’s a me over right here and I gotta put it up that factor over there. All of that’s simply including stuff in that doesn’t should be there.
So simply each time you discover your self doing that, simply drop it, it’s only a waste of time.
Okay, superior, nice query. Folks?
Questioner 3: You mentioned one thing somewhat bit earlier that the place you have been sort of speaking about thought and movement and my query is how do you’re feeling as if thought and movement aren’t completely different from one another and the way the operate of them is completely different?
Michael: It’s a sophisticated query as a result of it’s like on many various layers, proper? And so within the context of this dialogue, I’ll simply reply briefly though there’s extra to it. I’d say in essentially the most sort of childlike common approach we discover that ideas are both sounds or footage, proper? They’re going to be discuss discuss discuss or footage or even when they’re deep ideas they’re going to have that sort of construction, whereas feelings are going to be a physique sensation principally, we’d have concepts concerning the emotion however that comes again to ideas. The feelings themselves really feel like a sort of motion within the physique. So to place it in form of an experiential however possibly childlike approach; ideas are going to be sounds and footage, and feelings are going to be emotions in your physique, okay? So what’s attention-grabbing is as we go deeper and deeper with these all of them begin seeming like a sort of motion and finally they form of come collectively into one factor, proper, and it’s simply stuff shifting. After which finally you acknowledge it’s simply consciousness shifting, it’s not even a factor, it’s like an empty phantom in consciousness.
And but once more, once we say empty it feels like I imply nothing however I don’t imply nothing, there’s an expertise there. However as we go deeper and deeper into what we’d name the thoughts sense, proper, it appears to simply be increasingly motion, no matter meaning. After which the motion–like I used to be saying, like ripples on the ocean of consciousness–are simply manufactured from extra consciousness. You understand that the ideas and emotions and physique sensations and even the world round you, it’s not manufactured from something however consciousness. Although it’s not manufactured from it nevertheless it’s not completely different than it did anyway so however to get into the operate and all that, that’s an entire different…
I’ll say I don’t know. Does that reply your query in any respect?
Questioner 3: Yeah.
Michael: Okay. Good. Sure?
Questioner 4: So that you’re speaking about consciousness as a part of the self and to me…
Michael: I by no means mentioned that.
Questioner 4: Okay, are you speaking about consciousness? However what concerning the will? Is the need assumed below consciousness or is it a separate factor? Or is it…
Michael: Whenever you say the need what do you imply?
Questioner 4: I don’t merely have the sense that I’m conscious, I even have the sense that I can do issues. I can do no matter I need.
Michael: The place does that come from? How are you aware what you need?
Questioner 4: I select it.
Michael: How are you aware what to decide on? Like so that you select to, I don’t know, go to the toilet?
Questioner 4: It’s a combination between figuring out and selecting, form of.
Michael: All I’d say is look actually carefully on the thought of will and inform me the place it comes from and if you happen to determined it. Simply in your individual expertise look actually carefully. As a result of I can sit right here and say I believe it’s this or that however I don’t know the reality of the universe, I simply invite you to see if that factor of like effectively…
Questioner 4: I simply do it as a result of I wish to.
Michael: Okay, effectively look into the wanting actually how do you even know you need that? The place does that come from? It’s an attention-grabbing factor to look deeply at.
Questioner 4: The wanting just isn’t the necessary factor, I didn’t will something even one thing I don’t wish to I can watch nothing and I’ve 5 choices in entrance of me I simply will this one.
Michael: Okay, discover that second of keen then. The place does that come from? Look actually carefully. When does it–is there a second earlier than the keen? What’s there earlier than the keen? And what’s modified as soon as, proper in that second, when that sense of keen it seems? And the place did it come from? Test it out. I assure that can be fascinating.
Questioner 4: Okay
Michael: It’s extra necessary than my concepts about this or that. Simply look into your individual expertise.
Okay, superior. Time smart I ought to go right here. I really would like to maintain speaking and actually get pleasure from being privileged to hang around with you guys and listen to your questions and stuff.