When we use the same word twice immediately after each other we mean different things. So if we would say "awareness awareness" the first word, "awareness" means the awareness in our mind - the constant stream of thoughts and observations. The second word, "awareness" means the awareness of the constant stream of thoughts and observations.
So the first "awareness" is the object, the reality taking place in our mind. The second "awareness" is the subject, the "I" watching the stream of thoughts.
In all mind training, to learn to be aware of the stream of consciousness is a central thing. Different words are used as mindfulness, mental alertness, vigilance.
There is no reality if there is no observer at the same time. The best painting might be in the museum, but if you are not there you will not be overwhelmed by it. The best book might be in the library, but if you do not read it it will not give your life new meaning.
And so it is in our own thoughts. In order to reach the divine, we need the objective aspect - awareness of the divine in all its fantastic qualities - and also the subjective aspect - an awareness that appreciates the divine and all its fantastic qualities.
Showing posts with label recognize the divine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label recognize the divine. Show all posts
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Monday, May 11, 2009
Something better 2
No one can see God and live, it says in the Christian Bible. ( "Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live." Exodus 33.20) In order to recognize the divine, you have to be almost divine yourself, it says in the Buddhist tradition.
This is a problem, as there are so many things to do and think about in the modern world. The essential might be missed out.
If we want to approach the important matters of life, we have to work for it. But why should we do that if we can get a lot of distractions so easy?
Of course, mind work is different from ordinary work. Some feel it is more difficult. Some would prefer to play ice hockey for two hours rather than meditate for two hours. For some it is the other way around.
So the word "work" is probably not the best when talking about mind practice. But it is hard. If we try to learn for example a poem in a new language by heart, we notice how hard it is to make new imprints in mind.
If we get annoyed and utter negative expressions while trying to learn the poem, we make new bad imprints in our mind. This is easy.
If we see the struggle between good and bad as technical matter - no God involved - we see why it is so difficult.
We live in a world which is partly brutal and evil. In order to protect us we learn to use violence.
A good world is non-violent. This non-violence is cultivated from a start of non-violence intention, through non-violent methods to the final non-violent harmonious society.
How can we possibly start this non-violent process while using violence to fight off the old brutality?
The answer is on mind level. The world of violence should not be defeated but deserted.
This is a problem, as there are so many things to do and think about in the modern world. The essential might be missed out.
If we want to approach the important matters of life, we have to work for it. But why should we do that if we can get a lot of distractions so easy?
Of course, mind work is different from ordinary work. Some feel it is more difficult. Some would prefer to play ice hockey for two hours rather than meditate for two hours. For some it is the other way around.
So the word "work" is probably not the best when talking about mind practice. But it is hard. If we try to learn for example a poem in a new language by heart, we notice how hard it is to make new imprints in mind.
If we get annoyed and utter negative expressions while trying to learn the poem, we make new bad imprints in our mind. This is easy.
If we see the struggle between good and bad as technical matter - no God involved - we see why it is so difficult.
We live in a world which is partly brutal and evil. In order to protect us we learn to use violence.
A good world is non-violent. This non-violence is cultivated from a start of non-violence intention, through non-violent methods to the final non-violent harmonious society.
How can we possibly start this non-violent process while using violence to fight off the old brutality?
The answer is on mind level. The world of violence should not be defeated but deserted.
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