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Guided Nondual Meditation with Michael Taft
Introduction
Welcome to tonight’s guided meditation. How many individuals have by no means sat on this room earlier than, increase your hand. Okay, you’ve sat on this room earlier than a number of occasions. For these of you who haven’t been on this room earlier than, we’re going to sit down for an hour, silently and with motionlessness. So I’m going to sit down nonetheless for an hour. I’ll lead a guided meditation. If you need, you may observe the guided meditation. In case you don’t wish to, don’t observe it. If I begin doing one thing that’s simply towards your faith or makes you faint or no matter, simply don’t do it. You’re welcome to not do it. Aside from that, on the finish of the sit, I’ll discuss for some time. Then we’ll have some Q&A, in case you have stuff you wish to report–hey you understand my head blew off, or I hated that, or no matter, you’re welcome to share, we’ll deliver a microphone round after which we’ll additionally do Q&A.
First, earlier than we even test in with ourselves let’s simply transfer only a tiny tiny bit. So the very first thing I would like you to do is do wrist rotations. You don’t must do it like I’m doing it however you understand that is the thought circles along with your wrists–any sample you need–after which circles along with your elbows. Fluid, not like a robotic, get some fluidity in there. After which circles along with your shoulders and see you are able to do shoulders and elbows and wrists all of sudden. A number of totally different circles inside circles however the level is to get actual unfastened. Then you may transfer your backbone up and down like waves going up and down your backbone like that, but additionally twisties, okay, so good fluid kind stuff simply really feel that fluidity coming in there. Your complete physique is mainly water with somewhat little bit of magic powder in it so simply tune into the water half. If you wish to you may even do kind of like hula hoop kind stuff and simply really feel that fluidity coming in. Then step by step, step by step, get smaller and smaller and smaller and smaller whereas nonetheless truly transferring tiny tiny tiny tiny tiny circles nonetheless feeling that
till you may’t inform whether or not it’s doing a circle or not simply really feel as rigorously, rigorously, rigorously noticing as you may because it step by step involves a relaxation. Good.
Meditation
Now, ask your self the query, what’s it wish to be me proper now, and tune in. How does it really feel to be you On this second? Your ideas, your feelings, physique sensations, and even all of the stuff happening round you, inside you. Simply tune into that whole climate system of expertise and see what that’s like. And no matter it’s like, let it’s precisely that. We’re letting go of the necessity to change it, to regulate it, to make it into one thing higher, to rework it, to see it in a lovely method or no matter. We’re simply as an alternative letting it’s precisely what it’s. If it’s a hell realm, simply settle for that it’s a hell realm proper now. If it’s a heaven realm let it’s a heaven realm. If it’s another form of realm, that’s okay, too. So let it’s precisely what it’s proper now and let’s simply sit with that for some time, simply kind of checking in and letting go of any want to alter it for now.
Okay, tonight we’re going to remain actual easy. I simply need you to note the side of expertise that’s vast open and unsleeping, and simply as a lot as attainable, come from that place. Discover I’m not saying make some a part of expertise vast open and unsleeping. I’m saying discover the half that’s already vast open and unsleeping. You may’t manufacture that–the ego can’t do something to make that. So there’s actually nothing in your egoic sense of self to do besides mainly get out of the best way. If the egoic sense of self says, how do I get out of the best way? That’s getting in the best way, so as an alternative simply tune in to the a part of expertise that’s already vast open, unsleeping. Each time the thoughts grabs onto the rest, as quickly as you discover it’s grabbed onto something simply let go of that. Drop it. Come again to vast open vast awakeness.
Discover that there’s no meditation object. In case you’re used to having one thing to give attention to just like the breath or physique sensation or a mantra or a visualization or no matter, on this factor we’re doing proper now there’s nothing to give attention to. As an alternative, we’re simply coming again to vast open vast awakeness that’s at all times been there. If you end up following a prepare of thought, simply let go, come again to vast open vast awakeness. If you end up doing a bunch of physique stretching that’s not what we’re doing. We’re sitting as vast open vast awakeness, letting the physique be okay simply as it’s.
If you end up meditating in your respiratory and that’s a powerful behavior since you’ve been skilled into it, that’s okay. However that’s not what we’re doing. That’s specializing in an object. As an alternative we’re simply resting as vast openness that’s awake.
The important factor right here is to simply belief that if we sit, not giving the egoic sense of self something to do, it’ll be okay. Generally this type of meditation known as ego hunger since you’re not even giving the ego a meditation follow to do. It has no function on this method of sitting, and so the extra you’re employed on this method, the extra it simply form of settles down into the background, as only a operate moderately than one thing you’re being or a masks you’re coming from. So, if you end up making an attempt to determine how to do that appropriately, or in any respect, simply cease that. In case you’re scrambling round looking for one thing to give attention to, simply cease that. If you end up getting pulled away into trains of thought again and again, that’s very regular. Simply every time you discover it, simply loosen up. You don’t must cease the thought or slap your hand or no matter, you simply loosen up and are available again to vast, openness with out doing something in any respect. You’re simply sitting as vast open vast awakeness.
Generally the ego tries to get entangled and tries to make consciousness in some way vast open and pressure it, or do one thing to make consciousness open. However that’s, after all, not possible. Consciousness is at all times vast open. There’s completely nothing you are able to do to make it extra open. So, for those who’re spending time making an attempt to broaden it or make it huge, or widen it, simply drop all that. It’s already vast. That’s simply getting concerned in doing one thing. It’s at all times utterly awake. However it may be the case that we get actual sleepy. One of the best factor to do about that’s to sit down up actual straight–don’t slouch–maintain your head up straight, and sit along with your eyes open, if that helps. In any other case, on this method of working, generally you may get form of drowsy, so we sit up good and straight, and maintain our eyes open so we keep good and alert. However that’s simply serving to by way of the embodied properties of wakefulness, whereas the awakeness of consciousness is at all times utterly awake.
This follow in a method is totally trusting the at all times already unsleeping, vast open nature of expertise and that there’s nothing in any respect we do that may enhance that. However, we will let go of the issues that distract from it; let go of all of the involvement with doing doing doing doing doing; the sensation of doing; the sense of taking management; or altering, or suppressing, or denying, or increasing, or all that stuff that distracts us from this already present vast awakeness which has at all times been there.
Anytime you discover your self all concerned in considering, simply loosen up. The considering can occur–you’re not making an attempt to regulate or change or cease or deny the considering, simply don’t be concerned with it in any respect. It’s similar to birds chattering within the bushes or one thing. It may be there as a lot because it needs however you’re not significantly decoding it into which means it’s simply sounds and your head that you simply’re not concerned with all of it and for those who discover you’re getting concerned with it simply loosen up come again to vast open vast awakeness that’s not concerned with it.
In case you completely can’t do that and your thoughts is simply operating in a circle operating in a circle making an attempt to do it proper, do it proper, do it proper, if you wish to, you may kind of again up and simply use the breath as a meditation object. Concentrate on that and quiet down. In any other case, simply let it run in a circle. Don’t fear about it. Hold resting as vast open vast awakeness with nothing to do. There’s completely nothing to do.
Discover in case your expertise is simply that you simply maintain discovering issues which are incorrect and also you wish to repair them. You realize, this feels bizarre and I ought to change it. Or that factor will not be proper and I’ve received to regulate it–that’s all of the ego simply justifying its existence. We’re simply letting go of that utterly proper now we’re not killing it or denying it or something, we’re simply pushing within the clutch, so to talk, and simply letting it spin however we’re not participating it. We’re simply sitting with vast open vast awakeness with all the things simply the best way it’s and letting go of that basic sense of aggression. That deep aggression towards ourselves that all the things’s not proper, and I’ve to alter, it and I want to do that, and do that, and do that, and do that, and do that–to attempt to really feel okay. And see that if you let go of that and simply sit as your personal already present vast open vast awakeness, that does already really feel simply positive. It doesn’t want to alter something. It has basic pleasure and compassion in direction of the self.
What if all the things is already all proper simply the best way it’s? What if, only for the time of this meditation, only for the remaining little time of this meditation, you took an opportunity and simply laid to relaxation the necessity to change all the things only for a short while, and simply let vast open vast awakeness–which is your basic nature. Be the place you’re coming from. You may’t do it. It’s not a factor you are able to do. It’s only a factor you may cease distracting your self from for those who let go of all doing, you’ll simply naturally come to relaxation in unsleeping, vast openness, not participating with any ideas in any respect.
As I mentioned, the meditation is asking you to belief that your basic nature is mainly sane and open and joyous and type with out you doing something in any respect. The extra you loosen up like this, the extra you begin to actually tune into the vast openness. Once more, you’re not making it extra vast open; it’s simply that you simply’re noticing how boundless and actually unrestricted it’s. It’s not confined in any method. The egoic sense of self is like velcro for ideas. Each thought sticks to it after which it collapses across the thought and simply grinds and grinds and grinds. However vast open vast awakeness has no hooks in any respect for ideas. It’s clear to considering. Pondering simply doesn’t catch on it, so, once more, there could also be a number of ideas, however the vast awakeness simply doesn’t seize on in any respect. My good friend Rick says it’s like Teflon for ideas, however I don’t consider it as Teflon, I consider it as clear. The ideas simply transfer by and there’s nothing to catch on. It’s simply vast open.
If you end up drowsy in any respect, sit up, open your eyes, come again to presence. That is the follow of presence. Most of us all day lengthy we’re training non-presence, regularly distracting from what’s truly happening. Right here, we’re letting go of all distraction and simply settling into the pure deep presence that’s at all times there, at all times accessible, at all times our pure situation. Actually, you may’t follow presence. You simply follow not distracting from presence. We let go of distracting from presence, after which we naturally loosen up again into whole presence. It’s not a matter of focusing, or constricting our consideration, or narrowing and tightening. Slightly, it’s the other. We loosen up and let go, and that brings us into pure presence.
Discover that you simply’re not placing your self into an altered state. If we do actually sturdy, tight consideration focus fashion meditation we will typically find yourself in a very altered state, and that may really feel good, and you’ll inform one thing’s occurring and so forth. However altered states come and go. This isn’t an altered state: that is simply your basic being. This by no means comes and goes. You may distract your self from it, nevertheless it’s at all times there, behind all the things.
So in a method, if there’s any criticism about this, it’s like, that’s completely boring, that’s probably the most regular pure factor on the planet. It doesn’t really feel like a cool altered state. So for those who choose the completely neurotic anxious tight, “received to alter, received to alter, all the things’s incorrect, I’ve received to modify, all the things’s incorrect, I’ve received to do that, I’ve received to do this, I don’t really feel proper, I don’t really feel proper, I received to alter, change, change, change, change,” then you definately’re welcome to do this. Enter the world of the egoic self the place all the things’s at all times incorrect, and regardless of how a lot you alter, you may’t change sufficient to ever really feel okay, as a result of its complete method of being is to not really feel okay. Or you may simply let that go. Chill out, discover the vast openness and vast awakeness that’s already there. Let go of grabbing onto ideas and simply be current, be open, be awake. It’s not an altered state, nevertheless it does really feel actually good. There’s sufficient room to exist. There’s sufficient house to simply be.
Once more, if you end up misplaced in thought, simply loosen up. Let go. Thought will toddle on and also you simply come again to being vast open vast awakeness. Nothing could possibly be extra grounding or regulating or harmonizing or soothing than simply merely resting as our personal already present unsleeping vast openness. Let go of doing something in any respect. Simply drop it.
Effortlessly simply resting, or simply resting as what we truly already are, and at all times have been, with out doing something in any respect. We’re coming again to our vast openness, our vast awakeness, freshness and presence. It’s at all times there once we simply cease making an attempt so exhausting to distract away from it, as quickly as we let go of distracting away from it. Settle into presence. It’s proper there. It’s at all times proper there.
Excellent. Be at liberty to maneuver and stretch, however discover in one other method, there’s nothing to let go of, no meditation to cease doing because you weren’t actually doing something in any respect anyway. So it’s fairly simple to simply maintain going with it simply in a distinct posture.
Dharma Discuss, Q&A
The person who I consider as one of many actually, actually foremost academics within the US within the final many a long time, Adyashanti, or Adya, retired final evening. He’s truly fairly younger, too, however he gave his final discuss final evening. I didn’t see it however I do know that occurred. His accomplice, Mukti is stepping ahead however nonetheless, in honor of Adyashanti, that was a meditation evenly in his fashion–not likely, it’s nonetheless how I’d train it. I keep in mind him coming ahead 25 years in the past, and actually speaking in a method that was fairly totally different than the opposite folks I’d consider as Advaita academics on the time. These academics saved saying–that is like within the mid-90s–that any meditation you’re doing is simply reinforcing your ego and also you’ve received to let go, let go, let go. However my intuitive take was that they have been stuffed with shit. I didn’t belief them. They gave the impression to be doing a language recreation, form of a thoughts fuck, whereas Adyashanti, who was saying one thing comparable, was not stuffed with shit. He was clearly coming from the house that he was speaking about. So I at all times actually appreciated that, even when I didn’t at all times observe what he was saying.
The factor that he was saying and the factor that I’m at all times saying too as of late is that it’s only a matter of trusting your self. That you’re already in possession, so to talk, of the totally awake being that you simply aspire to be. That’s already there. It’s not already there like let’s say–it is a traditional picture–a Golden Buddha statue that’s buried 100 toes underground, and many people assume, effectively, it is perhaps there, nevertheless it’s a gold statue that’s buried 100 toes underground. There’s latrine sewage and tree roots and lifeless animals and rubbish and stuff that I’ve to scrub out and do all this work to shovel out and get out of the best way. Then I’ll get right down to that golden statue that’s coated with muck and I’ve to scrub it off and clear it off and clear it off and clear it off after which possibly it would shine proper. That’s when even for those who settle for that you simply’ve already received this awake nature the thought is effectively I’ve received to form of clear the gunk off of it for it to shine, and it’s me doing all this work to go down and get that factor after which polish it up.
However it’s not like that at al–not even somewhat bit–as a result of, who’s it that’s figuring out there’s this Golden Buddha down there? Who is aware of the place to dig and who is aware of the way to dig and what to get out of the best way and who is aware of the way to clear the stuff off? And who is aware of the way to polish it up after which, what does whoever that’s do to appreciate that Buddha? Who’s that that’s doing all that? We expect we’re going to get there like that, however that’s all an entire runaround, as a result of it’s–simply to stick with the metaphor–the Golden Buddha that’s doing all that stuff anyway. There’s not some separate person who isn’t that, that should do all that stuff. Actually, it’s the concept there’s a separate particular person that should do all that stuff that’s the distraction I’m speaking about. That complete mannequin–I’m going to dig and I’m going to shine–that’s what’s in the best way.
Now, it may be the case that our behavior of being that doer is so sturdy, that distraction is so sturdy, that it will probably’t simply by itself, regardless of how a lot somebody says simply loosen up and be the vast open vast awakeness that you simply already are, it simply can’t let go of the behavior. For some folks, they solely have to listen to that after, and the entire the sport is up. The entire thing breaks open. They simply acknowledge their very own innate vast awakeness: they’re executed. That’s exceedingly uncommon, nevertheless it occurs, as a result of that’s the reality, so each from time to time somebody’s routine clenching into personhood, that form of doership, is relaxed sufficient already that they only hear it as soon as and it simply drops away. Personhood remains to be occurring, the sock puppet didn’t get burned–it’s nonetheless there–however they’re simply not inhabiting it.
However, it may be the case that for many people, nearly everybody, the behavior is somewhat stronger. So we do practices, and the practices are geared toward recognizing that over, and over once more, geared toward recognizing that. However it could possibly be the case that we’re so caught up in making an attempt to rework into the form of factor that may let go, that we simply work on that transformation ceaselessly, and by no means let go. So that you’ll discover some academics, some complete traditions which are all about “simply sit there,” like we simply did. That’s all you do ceaselessly. Different traditions, we’re going to work at it, work at it, work at it, however then by no means let go. Some, we’re going to simply let go however possibly it’s like folks aren’t prepared for that and it by no means occurs.
So, we will discover one thing within the center. You are available in right here many weeks and we’ll do some visualization, we’ll do some Brahma Viharas, we’ll do some pranayama. However we’re at all times coming again to that vast openness additionally as a result of we’re studying to let go after which resting. Studying to open, after which discovering the openness proper that’s already there. So we’re form of massaging the stiffness out of the system in order that it will probably simply loosen up. So if we’re doing work it’s simply kind of like oiling up these muscle tissues somewhat bit in order that they’ll simply do what they already know the way to do. So there will be some studying concerned, some work concerned, and so forth.
I feel that’s nice, however we lose sight of the truth that we’re not in some way manufacturing awakening. So long as you’re manufacturing awakening, it would by no means occur, except simply by accident, as a result of it’s at all times there for everybody it doesn’t matter what. So it would occur anyway, however you may’t manufacture it regardless of how exhausting you attempt. In case you’re going to do something with egoic effort, simply get good at not being distracted from unsleeping, vast openness. It’s actually, very easy for the exercise to grow to be central.
So the work we’re doing is supposedly in direction of awakening, however actually all we’re doing is that the doer of that work is simply self-perpetuating its personal delusion. That occurs on a regular basis. It’s nonetheless good work. It’s nonetheless serving to you focus or clear up or not be an addict or no matter–it’s good for you. However you may overlook that there’s actually simply that remaining recognition that’s already there, regardless of how good you’re, regardless of how exhausting you’re employed, regardless of how exhausting you attempt, it’s there it doesn’t matter what. It’s already there it doesn’t matter what.
Who hears the automotive alarm if you’re lifeless asleep and it wakes you up? Earlier than you get up, who hears that? Your ego doesn’t hear it. Your ego is asleep. Your dreaming thoughts doesn’t hear it. Your dreaming thoughts’s asleep. You’re lifeless asleep, what’s it that hears it and wakes up? One thing is at all times unsleeping even if you’re lifeless asleep. There’s part of you that’s unsleeping at all times at all times at all times it’s at all times on. I’m simply asking you to note that and relaxation as that. It’s even there if you’re lifeless asleep. That relaxed, it’s nonetheless simply *ding* vast open, unsleeping. It’s not any effort to have that there, proper? You’re asleep! And weirdly, the extra you do that follow, the extra you’ll each from time to time simply, with out doing something, you’ll be lucid in your goals since you’re simply used to tuning into being vast open and unsleeping. Otherwise you’ll be lucid even in deep dreamless sleep since you’re simply used to being vast open and unsleeping. It simply form of occurs. It’s at all times there.
Good, so in case you have questions or feedback or critiques, otherwise you wish to inform me how a lot you hate me or no matter, increase your hand and we’ll deliver you a microphone. Simply keep in mind that is going out dwell to the interwebs, so it’s not precisely personal.
Questioner 1: You talked about one thing about lucid dreaming, which could be very fascinating, however you additionally talked about lucid sleep. Might you discuss somewhat bit about that?
Michael: Yeah, we will grow to be awake throughout a dream, however the dream continues, so we now have lucidity in a dream. The identical factor can occur in deep dreamless sleep, the place we grow to be lucid in deep dreamless sleep however the deep dreamless sleep continues. That’s all. And, in reality, it’s the identical lucidity that I’m asking you to have whilst you’re awake strolling round. Simply grow to be awake in precisely that very same method to this, which is a distinct form of dream. It’s all the identical lucidity. So we study various things from turning into lucid in every of these locations. The way in which I’m educating it is a totally different avenue of lucidity with totally different objectives than the everyday Western lucid dreaming or lucid sleep follow. These are sleep-induced lucid goals or sleep-induced lucid sleep the place you come up from the place you understand, you go right into a dream, after which grow to be lucid inside it. Sometimes your objective is to meet your fantasies or no matter. Whereas once we do it from a meditative perspective, we usually do it the opposite method, going from wakefulness into lucid dreaming or wakefulness into lucid sleep. However it will probably simply by accident occur the opposite method and the objective, as an alternative of fulfilling your fantasies, is to have the ability to meditate there as effectively. Discover the standing of the dreaming world whilst you’re lucid dreaming. It’s all a building. Even the standing of being in lucid sleep, the place there’s truly no sensory enter of any variety: nothing. There’s no sound, there’s no physique sensation, there’s no ideas, there’s no nothing, however you’re awake. That’s fascinating. That’s a robust place to note.
Questioner 1: Thanks
Michael: yep, different stuff, feedback, questions?
Questioner 2: Simply wished to say two issues, one is the best way that you simply felt about Adyashanti all these years in the past, that’s how I really feel about your teachings, which is like I’ve executed plenty of meditation and it’s like, put the headphones in. You’re like, okay, cool, my ideas are clouds–yeah! That is one thing that I’ve now been doing for a few yr each single week, generally extra, and it’s actually stable. I’ve but to listen to you spew some bullshit, in order that’s some suggestions.
The opposite aspect of this, which is bizarre, is like, I suppose it’s like a query remark combined. It’s this factor I’ve been combating which is just like the awakeness, the traits of it that emerge, proper? I’ve most likely introduced this query up greater than as soon as. What do you do with it, proper? What do you proceed to do? It’s very easy to see from awake consciousness all the pitfalls of distancing your self from the appearances that you simply expertise, or entering into them. The remark query is what’s the purpose? However that’s form of ineffective, proper? Do you simply proceed to let go, to let go, to let go, to let go? Guess that’s my query.
Michael: If that is Music Faculty, you simply requested me, what tune ought to I play? Play a tune that you simply really feel like enjoying, proper? That’s the worst query. Go fly, little butterfly–do your factor. There’s what I consider as a failure mode concerned on this method of working. Discover, for all of the final weeks I maintain going into the do nothing, however then really feel the vitality, and are available out. Tonight, simply as a tribute, tonight went out as a tribute to Adyashanti in Los Gatos. We simply went into the stillness half. However that’s like I’m at all times saying, that’s solely midway there as a result of you may simply relaxation as stillness–cool! However the extra you try this, the extra vitality retains coming as much as do shit. However it will probably go awry if it then will get caught within the equipment of the ego, and then you definately go do the ego stuff. That’s what we’ve been doing our complete lives. As an alternative, if that equipment doesn’t get engaged, you simply begin doing stuff. It’s the identical recreation: don’t interact the equipment.
Questioner 2: I feel it’s a concern factor. Like, I’m stopping myself from doing stuff as a result of I’m like, oh no, what if my ego will get in right here and fucks up the chocolate once more.
Michael: That’s the ego speaking. So, simply to place it in probably the most woo attainable language, the vitality simply needs to do stuff. And also you go along with it, and there’s an inner letting go, however you go along with it, okay, and it’ll really feel very alive and really empty on the similar time–tremendous empty. There’s no one doing it. There’s no payoff, and it simply retains feeling extra alive and extra energized. After a whilst you have plenty of alive vitality, and no one’s doing it.
Questioner 2: That resonates, nevertheless it’s very horrifying to me proper now as a result of it’s new. So thanks.
Questioner 3: Hello Michael. One factor that was somewhat bit tough this time round was my leg received fairly painful about two-thirds of the best way in. Often, after I do a extra vipassana kind follow, it’s like, give attention to it, and that does assist with the ache a bit. On this case there’s simply plenty of “don’t do something about it,” and it made it trickier to expertise any stage of reduction. So, I’m questioning in case you have something to supply about that.
Michael: Yeah, so we do know that for those who do actual targeted vipassana on it there will be super quantity of reduction in that, proper? So, that may be a terrific factor to do. However, why does the vipassana provide you with reduction? What’s the important high quality that’s doing it, or offering it?
Questioner 3: Effectively, no less than in my subjective expertise, it turns the feeling into one thing that’s somewhat bit I don’t know–fluffy. It simply form of bubbles there for a bit.
Michael: Yeah, so I’d interpret that utilizing Buddhist language: you’re seeing the vacancy of the feeling which is providing you with plenty of equanimity round it. What does it imply to say see the vacancy of one thing? It means we’re not participating thought constructs round it. We’re not making it right into a factor. We’re seeing that it’s a wide-open circulate of expertise. So, on this method of working all you do is discover that even that ache is simply vast open vast awakeness. You’re not making it into an object. It’s truly the draw back of getting in as vipassana: as you make it into an object after which slowly by concentrating on it so much, you come to see a few of its non-object-ness. Whereas, once we do it this fashion, you simply don’t flip it into an object within the first place, proper? It’s only a circulate of sensation in vast openness, so for those who don’t seize on to the thought of the ache as an object, it goes method additional than the vipassana with out even doing something.
Questioner 3: Yeah, I feel it would simply be that I’m used to doing it a technique so form of doing the other observe although it will get to the identical place.
Michael: It’ll get to the identical place, however even deeper, okay.
Questioner 3: It’s good to know thanks.
Michael: Good query. Did you might have a query?
Questioner 4: I feel mine is extra of a report additionally. I really feel the 90s meditations are coming again into vogue as of late. It’s form of entertaining. I really feel like after I’m watching YouTube, all that retains popping up. It’s just like the 90’s talks by Jack Kornfield and Adyashanti and all of those Northern California luminaries. I feel we talked about it in one other group however I’m making an attempt to wrap my head round working with dualistic practices, like Theravada-style practices in nondual context.
What involves thoughts is belief and I really feel such as you talked about belief in a nondual context. The way you simply sit there and also you belief that all the things is okay, you already are that Golden Buddha. However, to me, what I notice sitting right here, but additionally beforehand, how belief can be a key to extra dualistic practices. How, if you’re digging by the roots and lifeless our bodies it’s not essentially about purification or making an attempt to see one thing, like how fucked up you’re, or your loved ones is. It’s extra about form of artificially creating adversity so you can belief in your self and follow within the prospects. There are such a lot of sayings about lovers break up simply to make up. It’s nearly like it’s a must to create that initiation for your self, that hardship, so you can bond even additional with the potential of deepening. Even if you received there you may nonetheless really feel form of agitated.
Like what’s subsequent? Is there extra? How lengthy can I keep there? It appears like if you’re utilizing this adversity as a risk to see how one can undergo that possibly nonetheless struggling and nonetheless not feeling such as you’re getting it. However on the similar time cultivating that deeper belief in a risk and to me that changed into a distinct orientation in comparison with the Christian or Judaic idea of needing to purify or I have to do XYZ. Or possibly even like a Hindu idea of like cover and search of Shiva/Shakti and the way once more the way you artificially break up issues simply so you can see the wholeness.
Michael: You realize there’s a very fascinating method of understanding meditation. For most individuals, we consider meditation as a selected method. Or a selected, possibly a number of, specific strategies or complete traditions of many strategies. I do know you understand this, however we will do the identical method with totally different views. So truly the outline of what you do is perhaps similar however the place you’re coming from could be very totally different, and it results in a distinct end result, as a result of you might have a distinct view although you’re doing precisely the identical factor method, proper? You with me to this point?
So what you’re doing proper now, with what you simply mentioned, is you’re bringing a nondual view again to dualistic strategies. That’s the way you’re speculated to do it; that’s precisely proper, we take the nondual view. Let me begin over once more and say we will say, oh, these strategies are dualistic and these are nondualistic strategies, and to a sure extent that’s true. However it’s additionally incorrect, as a result of even all of the dualistic strategies we will deliver nondual view to these and do them precisely as they’re described however from a very totally different view, after which they’ve this whole nondual impact. So that you’re bringing a Zen view again into what you’re describing and that and it’s actually waking it up.
You may simply see it if you’re speaking about it, in order that view will not be typical, that’s not like how these are taught from inside their very own traditions often. But when we deliver our personal awake consciousness again into them, that is the factor from the view of awake consciousness we’re allowed to do any meditation–even dualistic meditations–as a result of they’re not dualistic for those who’re doing them from the unsleeping openness vast openness. So does that handle what you’re speaking about?
Questioner 4: I suppose just a bit nuance to that–after I mentioned belief, I meant it’s purely psychological belief. So the place I’m at now, all of my meditations flip into psychological work and I spotted meditation has nothing to do with awakening or something. To me, it’s like meditation is form of ineffective nevertheless it’s only a instrument for me to work with my psychological states which at this level is belief, and that’s the worth of it that I’m getting from any strategies, twin or nondual.
Michael: Yeah, fascinating. So one of many predominant issues we’re making an attempt to develop for after I say belief your self in nondual meditation, is to get that belief, that confidence after which one thing new begins to occur. So I’m wondering as you understand your psychology transforms, for those who may begin not noticing your meditation is basically altering additionally proper again into one thing fairly totally different. Let’s maintain going.
Questioner 5: Hello, whereas we’re doing vipassana evaluating and contrasting with this follow, I discover so much much less consciousness of intention, which might really feel like spontaneity however I’m unsure whether or not I’m lacking one thing, or that’s a function, or what to make of that?
Michael: I feel spontaneity is strictly the best description. What you’re calling intention we may simply translate as making an attempt to do one thing. And from the primary minute, I’m like don’t attempt to do one thing, proper, don’t do something. So, in a method, we’re having no intention in any respect besides to simply sit, after which no matter occurs is spontaneous.
Questioner 5: Gotcha, proper, thanks.
Questioner 6: Hello, on this sit, you mentioned awakeness and I used to be typically drawn to the feeling of how brilliant my eyes are, or how vast my imaginative and prescient is.
Michael: What was noticing that? No matter was noticing the brightness or noticing…
Questioner 6: It felt not brilliant, and never vast, and never open. So, each time I used to be searching for white and/or vast and brilliant and open, it felt away from no matter was noticing. It felt out into different points of consideration consciousness or one thing.
Michael: Yeah. No matter was noticing, that’s the factor I’m speaking about.
Questioner 6: Okay. How does that, when listening to an instruction, and the instruction is pointing to one thing else for you, like how would you…
Michael: Simply go along with your expertise, at all times, okay. I’ll say that for those who maintain tuning into the factor that’s noticing, it received’t be situated wherever it’s not situated in a spot. So ultimately you’ll discover this openness and vast awakeness and vast openness, as a result of at first we predict the noticer is situated able however the extra you examine that the extra you discover that it’s not situated wherever. However discover out for your self. I simply suspect that that’s what you’ll discover ultimately.
Questioner 7: Hello Michael. One factor I observed is that there’s an emphasis on stillness
Michael: Did I ever use the phrase Stillness?
Questioner 7: I feel you steered not transferring, and my query is, can’t we transfer however simply be vast open and unsleeping as we do it?
Michael: You would, however this meditation is tremendously with out guidelines, and what I’ve discovered is it helps to have one or two little guidelines simply to have some construction. It seems that it’s actually fascinating to note that the extra you’re hooked into your considering the extra you’ll fidget, and the much less you’re hooked into your considering your physique will simply begin to actually, simply loosen up. So, we’re not tightly sitting in stillness, we’re similar to a bag of sand, moist sand, simply so it turns into an fascinating suggestions for your self, to see how a lot neurotic, you understand, you simply can’t cease transferring actually.
So certain, it could be the case that, oh my leg’s asleep so that you slowly transfer it. However what I’m what I’m actually pointing to is the kind of like stuff that, in case your eyes are closed you’re not noticing, however a number of folks can’t sit nonetheless as a result of they’re so hooked into the neurosis, which is okay, that’s the place we begin. However it’s like that is providing some suggestions about that proper, discover that for those who decouple from the neurotic ideas your physique can really feel okay rapidly, and really does really feel okay. It’s the ideas about it that don’t really feel okay, and so there’s a very direct suggestions factor there that’s tremendous fascinating. So a part of it’s simply providing somewhat bit of truly useful construction to one thing that’s very unstructured and a part of it’s there’s some suggestions in there. Make any sense?
Questioner 7: Yeah, thanks.
Questioner 8: Hello. The instruction to note consciousness is humorous to me.
Michael: Did I ever say discover consciousness?
Questioner 8: That is perhaps my very own mind
Michael: Generally I say that, however I don’t assume I mentioned that tonight. However, possibly I did.
Questioner 8: That’s the place I went with it. After I begin a meditation like that I’ll be like, okay, consciousness is that this factor I have to not create however let it’s and I get you understand on the backside of the hill or no matter there it appears like consciousness isn’t a factor so you may’t discover it and so the notice goes away and the noticing goes away and I can’t inform if it’s occurring.
Michael: I’m confused. Consciousness goes away, so that you’re unconscious? In case you’re not unconscious, then consciousness is there.
Questioner 8: However it’s not one thing I can level to too, and that is perhaps related to the opposite factor about it not present in a spot. However when you discover there’s no place for it, then the noticing of it isn’t there both.
Michael: Once more, it’s essential to be clear. I didn’t say it doesn’t exist in a spot, I mentioned it’s not coming from one place
Questioner 8: Ah, okay. I’m questioning if my situation is…
Michael: It isn’t coming from wherever however it may be situated all over the place–there’s a distinction between the place it’s coming from and the place it seems. So that you’re getting at one thing actually essential, nevertheless it’s not a conundrum. Simply permit the wakefulness to be awake. I saved saying relaxation as unsleeping vast openness. I didn’t say discover awakeness. I may say that–attempt it proper now. Discover awakeness.
Questioner 8: Yeah, it’s form of all the things.
Michael: There it’s. It’s not exhausting to do.
Questioner 8: Yeah, proper, cool, thanks.
Questioner 9: I suppose I want some steerage as a result of I’ve been right here seven or eight occasions, and I’d say greater than half I simply discover totally different sensations. So the primary time it occurred I feel my cheek was itchy and I used to be questioning ought to I scratch it or ought to I simply let it’s. So I used to be training letting it’s after which I observed my ankle would itch after which elsewhere and elsewhere. As I sat with it, it felt like my pores and skin was dissolving, yeah, and good, I like the feeling. After which one other time, sitting right here I’m conscious of the dimensions of my physique and the dimensions of this room after which it felt like I used to be an oracle area or Chase Heart. It simply felt so expansive. Then one other time it felt…
Michael: Okay, so what’s the query?
Questioner 9: I’m asking for some steerage. I simply maintain watching these items. Is that this helpful?
Michael: Yeah, you’re beginning to discover the vast openness. The pores and skin dissolves, that’s the
sense of the pores and skin sensation being a boundary away. The sense of the room as a boundary goes away. That’s the boundlessness that’s already there. Your thoughts places up this concept that my pores and skin is a boundary, the partitions are a boundary, however as you’re sitting there, it’s not a boundary. In order you’re watching these dissolve or drop, that’s simply stress-free these psychological containers. You’re not making consciousness greater, you’re simply stopping pretending it’s small.
Questioner 9: Thanks.
Michael: That’s good. Final query, right here you’ve been elevating your hand for like a half hour.
Questioner 10: Michael, I simply wished to say I hate you, so, no I’m simply completely kidding. Thanks for the primary time I’m right here. That is great. I’ve been watching on-line for a very long time. It’s lovely to be on this house. I’ve a query. On the finish of this, my expertise tonight was actually, actually tough. A variety of simply making an attempt to let go, let go, I have to let go, till it simply wasn’t. And what occurred was all the things simply turned actually playful nearly, and form of emergent, is what it felt like. As an alternative of a thought coming and being strung alongside like one thing not right here however sooner or later or the previous or one thing. My query is, it it felt nice, however am I tricking myself into having fun with the in any other case nonetheless painful again, you understand, want to simply let go of all these items?
Michael: Effectively I don’t know, are you tricking your self?
Questioner 10: I like being playful.
Michael: Possibly the playfulness could be very enticing, however are you doing it?
Questioner 10: It didn’t really feel that method, no.
Michael: Then you definately’re most likely not tricking your self. It’s simply if you cease combating so exhausting–I imply–take into consideration somewhat child, proper, they haven’t discovered that all the things’s an issue, and I’ve to work work work work work–they’re simply form of enjoying on a regular basis. And, more often than not, except they like are hungry or hit their head or no matter, they’re in a terrific temper, as a result of all the things’s simply form of–wow!–and it’s solely when, oh I received, I received, I received, that all the things begins sucking. So that you dropped it, and it was like, oh, this feels form of nice. So it doesn’t sound such as you’re tricking your self.
Questioner 10: Okay, I used to be simply questioning if that’s one thing I ought to lean into or if that’s one other like you understand phantasm?
Michael: That complete concept that, I received to lean into it–now you’re gonna make it a brand new factor to do, proper? So, simply now you’re making it a job, let go of that, come again to, oh yeah, it’s similar to this after I’m not making an attempt so exhausting all proper.
Excellent. Let’s finish issues there.
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