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, elevate your hand. Okay, you’ve sat on this room earlier than a number of instances. For these of you who haven’t been on this room earlier than, we’re going to take a seat for an hour, silently and with motionlessness. So I’m going to take a seat nonetheless for an hour. I’ll lead a guided meditation. If you need, you possibly can comply with the guided meditation. When you don’t need to, don’t comply with 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. Apart from that, on the finish of the sit, I’ll discuss for some time. Then we’ll have some Q&A, if in case you have stuff you need to report–hey you understand my head blew off, or I hated that, or no matter, you’re welcome to share, we’ll convey 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 unexpectedly. Plenty of totally different circles inside circles however the level is to get actual unfastened. Then you possibly can transfer your backbone up and down like waves going up and down your backbone like that, but in addition twisties, okay, so good fluid kind stuff simply really feel that fluidity coming in there. Your entire physique is mainly water with a bit little bit of magic powder in it so simply tune into the water half. If you wish to you possibly can even do form of like hula hoop kind stuff and simply really feel that fluidity coming in. Then progressively, progressively, get smaller and smaller and smaller and smaller whereas nonetheless really shifting tiny tiny tiny tiny tiny circles nonetheless feeling that
till you possibly can’t inform whether or not it’s doing a circle or not simply really feel as rigorously, rigorously, rigorously noticing as you possibly can because it progressively 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 occurring round you, inside you. Simply tune into that total climate system of expertise and see what that’s like. And no matter it’s like, let or not 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 remodel it, to see it in a phenomenal manner or no matter. We’re simply as a substitute letting or not 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 or not it’s a heaven realm. If it’s another sort of realm, that’s okay, too. So let or not it’s precisely what it’s proper now and let’s simply sit with that for some time, simply form of checking in and letting go of any want to vary it for now.
Okay, tonight we’re going to remain actual easy. I simply need you to note the facet of expertise that’s large open and conscious, and simply as a lot as attainable, come from that place. Discover I’m not saying make some a part of expertise large open and conscious. I’m saying discover the half that’s already large open and conscious. 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 a substitute simply tune in to the a part of expertise that’s already large open, conscious. Every 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 large open large awakeness.
Discover that there’s no meditation object. When you’re used to having one thing to deal with 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 deal with. As an alternative, we’re simply coming again to large open large awakeness that’s all the time been there. If you end up following a practice of thought, simply let go, come again to large open large awakeness. If you end up doing a bunch of physique stretching that’s not what we’re doing. We’re sitting as large open large awakeness, letting the physique be okay simply as it’s.
If you end up meditating in your respiration 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 large 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. Typically this type of meditation is named ego hunger since you’re not even giving the ego a meditation follow to do. It has no objective on this manner of sitting, and so the extra you’re employed on this manner, the extra it simply sort of settles down into the background, as only a operate slightly than one thing you’re being or a masks you’re coming from. So, if you end up attempting to determine how to do that accurately, or in any respect, simply cease that. When you’re scrambling round looking for one thing to deal with, 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 chill out. You don’t must cease the thought or slap your hand or no matter, you simply chill out and are available again to large, openness with out doing something in any respect. You’re simply sitting as large open large awakeness.
Typically the ego tries to become involved and tries to make consciousness by some means large open and drive it, or do one thing to make consciousness open. However that’s, after all, inconceivable. Consciousness is all the time large open. There’s completely nothing you are able to do to make it extra open. So, if you happen to’re spending time attempting to broaden it or make it huge, or widen it, simply drop all that. It’s already large. That’s simply getting concerned in doing one thing. It’s all the time utterly awake. However it may be the case that we get actual sleepy. The most effective factor to do about that’s to take a seat up actual straight–don’t slouch–preserve your head up straight, and sit along with your eyes open, if that helps. In any other case, on this manner of working, generally you may get sort of drowsy, so we sit up good and straight, and preserve 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 all the time utterly awake.
This follow in a manner is totally trusting the all the time already conscious, large 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 large awakeness which has all the time been there.
Anytime you discover your self all concerned in pondering, simply chill out. The pondering can occur–you’re not attempting to regulate or change or cease or deny the pondering, simply don’t be concerned with it in any respect. It’s identical to birds chattering within the bushes or one thing. It may be there as a lot because it desires however you’re not notably decoding it into that means it’s simply sounds and your head that you simply’re not concerned with all of it and if you happen to discover you’re getting concerned with it simply chill out come again to large open large awakeness that’s not concerned with it.
When you completely can not do that and your thoughts is simply working in a circle working in a circle attempting to do it proper, do it proper, do it proper, if you wish to, you possibly can form of again up and simply use the breath as a meditation object. Give attention to that and cool down. In any other case, simply let it run in a circle. Don’t fear about it. Maintain resting as large open large awakeness with nothing to do. There’s completely nothing to do.
Discover in case your expertise is simply that you simply preserve discovering issues which can be flawed and also you need to repair them. You recognize, this feels bizarre and I ought to change it. Or that factor is just not proper and I’ve obtained 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 partaking it. We’re simply sitting with large open large awakeness with every little thing simply the best way it’s and letting go of that basic sense of aggression. That deep aggression towards ourselves that every little thing’s not proper, and I’ve to vary, 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 large open large awakeness, that does already really feel simply high quality. It doesn’t want to vary something. It has basic pleasure and compassion in direction of the self.
What if every little thing 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 every little thing only for a short while, and simply let large open large 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 possibly can cease distracting your self from if you happen to let go of all doing, you’ll simply naturally come to relaxation in conscious, large openness, not partaking 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 sort with out you doing something in any respect. The extra you chill out like this, the extra you begin to actually tune into the large openness. Once more, you’re not making it extra large open; it’s simply that you simply’re noticing how boundless and actually unrestricted it’s. It’s not confined in any manner. 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 large open large awakeness has no hooks in any respect for ideas. It’s clear to pondering. Considering simply doesn’t catch on it, so, once more, there could also be a number of ideas, however the large awakeness simply doesn’t seize on in any respect. My pal 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 way of and there’s nothing to catch on. It’s simply large 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 working towards non-presence, regularly distracting from what’s really occurring. Right here, we’re letting go of all distraction and simply settling into the pure deep presence that’s all the time there, all the time obtainable, all the time our pure situation. Actually, you possibly can’t follow presence. You simply follow not distracting from presence. We let go of distracting from presence, after which we naturally chill out again into complete presence. It’s not a matter of focusing, or constricting our consideration, or narrowing and tightening. Moderately, it’s the alternative. We chill out 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 model meditation we will usually find yourself in a very altered state, and that may really feel good, and you’ll inform one thing’s taking place 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, but it surely’s all the time there, behind every little thing.
So in a manner, if there’s any grievance about this, it’s like, that’s completely boring, that’s essentially the most regular pure factor on this planet. It doesn’t really feel like a cool altered state. So if you happen to desire the completely neurotic anxious tight, “obtained to vary, obtained to vary, every little thing’s flawed, I’ve obtained to modify, every little thing’s flawed, I’ve obtained to do that, I’ve obtained to do this, I don’t really feel proper, I don’t really feel proper, I obtained to vary, change, change, change, change,” you then’re welcome to do this. Enter the world of the egoic self the place every little thing’s all the time flawed, and irrespective of how a lot you modify, you possibly can’t change sufficient to ever really feel okay, as a result of its entire manner of being is to not really feel okay. Or you possibly can simply let that go. Calm down, discover the large openness and large 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, but it surely does really feel actually good. There’s sufficient room to exist. There’s sufficient area to simply be.
Once more, if you end up misplaced in thought, simply chill out. Let go. Thought will toddle on and also you simply come again to being large open large awakeness. Nothing may very well be extra grounding or regulating or harmonizing or soothing than simply merely resting as our personal already present conscious large openness. Let go of doing something in any respect. Simply drop it.
Effortlessly simply resting, or simply resting as what we really already are, and all the time have been, with out doing something in any respect. We’re coming again to our large openness, our large awakeness, freshness and presence. It’s all the time there after we simply cease attempting so laborious 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 all the time proper there.
Superb. Be at liberty to maneuver and stretch, however discover in one other manner, 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 straightforward to simply preserve going with it simply in a unique posture.
Dharma Discuss, Q&A
The individual that 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 night time. He’s really fairly younger, too, however he gave his final discuss final night time. 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 frivolously in his model–not likely, it’s nonetheless how I might train it. I keep in mind him coming ahead 25 years in the past, and actually speaking in a manner that was fairly totally different than the opposite folks I might 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 obtained to let go, let go, let go. However my intuitive take was that they have been filled with shit. I didn’t belief them. They appeared to be doing a language recreation, sort of a thoughts fuck, whereas Adyashanti, who was saying one thing comparable, was not filled with shit. He was clearly coming from the area that he was speaking about. So I all the time actually appreciated that, even when I didn’t all the time comply with what he was saying.
The factor that he was saying and the factor that I’m all the time saying too today 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–this can be a traditional picture–a Golden Buddha statue that’s buried 100 toes underground, and many people suppose, effectively, it could be there, but it surely’s a gold statue that’s buried 100 toes underground. There’s latrine sewage and tree roots and useless 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 lined with muck and I’ve to scrub it off and clear it off and clear it off and clear it off after which perhaps it can shine proper. That’s when even if you happen to settle for that you simply’ve already obtained this awake nature the thought is effectively I’ve obtained to sort 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.
But it surely’s not like that at al–not even a bit bit–as a result of, who’s it that’s understanding there’s this Golden Buddha down there? Who is aware of the place to dig and who is aware of how you can dig and what to get out of the best way and who is aware of how you can clear the stuff off? And who is aware of how you can polish it up after which, what does whoever that’s do to appreciate that Buddha? Who’s that that’s doing all that? We predict 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. In truth, 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 entire 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, irrespective of how a lot somebody says simply chill out and be the large open large 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 only acknowledge their very own innate large awakeness: they’re executed. That’s exceedingly uncommon, but it surely occurs, as a result of that’s the reality, so each every so often somebody’s ordinary clenching into personhood, that sort of doership, is relaxed sufficient already that they simply hear it as soon as and it simply drops away. Personhood remains to be taking place, 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, virtually everybody, the behavior is a bit stronger. So we do practices, and the practices are aimed toward recognizing that over, and over once more, aimed toward recognizing that. But it surely may very well be the case that we’re so caught up in attempting to remodel into the sort of factor that may let go, that we simply work on that transformation perpetually, and by no means let go. So that you’ll discover some academics, some entire traditions which can be all about “simply sit there,” like we simply did. That’s all you do perpetually. 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 perhaps 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 right here many weeks and we’ll do some visualization, we’ll do some Brahma Viharas, we’ll do some pranayama. However we’re all the time coming again to that large 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 sort of massaging the stiffness out of the system in order that it will probably simply chill out. So if we’re doing work it’s simply form of like oiling up these muscle groups a bit bit in order that they will simply do what they already know how you can do. So there will be some studying concerned, some work concerned, and so forth.
I believe that’s nice, however we lose sight of the truth that we’re not by some means manufacturing awakening. So long as you’re manufacturing awakening, it can by no means occur, until simply by chance, as a result of it’s all the time there for everybody it doesn’t matter what. So it’d occur anyway, however you possibly can’t manufacture it irrespective of how laborious you strive. When you’re going to do something with egoic effort, simply get good at not being distracted from conscious, large openness. It’s actually, very easy for the exercise to develop into 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 closing recognition that’s already there, irrespective of how good you’re, irrespective of how laborious you’re employed, irrespective of how laborious you strive, it’s there it doesn’t matter what. It’s already there it doesn’t matter what.
Who hears the automobile alarm if you’re useless 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 useless asleep, what’s it that hears it and wakes up? One thing is all the time conscious even if you’re useless asleep. There’s part of you that’s conscious all the time all the time all the time it’s all the time on. I’m simply asking you to note that and relaxation as that. It’s even there if you’re useless asleep. That relaxed, it’s nonetheless simply *ding* large open, conscious. 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 every so often simply, with out doing something, you’ll be lucid in your goals since you’re simply used to tuning into being large open and conscious. Otherwise you’ll be lucid even in deep dreamless sleep since you’re simply used to being large open and conscious. It simply sort of occurs. It’s all the time there.
Good, so if in case you have questions or feedback or critiques, otherwise you need to inform me how a lot you hate me or no matter, elevate your hand and we’ll convey you a microphone. Simply keep in mind that is going out dwell to the interwebs, so it’s not precisely non-public.
Questioner 1: You talked about one thing about lucid dreaming, which may be very fascinating, however you additionally talked about lucid sleep. Might you discuss a bit bit about that?
Michael: Yeah, we will develop into 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 develop into lucid in deep dreamless sleep however the deep dreamless sleep continues. That’s all. And, the truth is, it’s the identical lucidity that I’m asking you to have when you’re awake strolling round. Simply develop into awake in precisely that very same technique to this, which is a unique sort of dream. It’s all the identical lucidity. So we study various things from changing into lucid in every of these locations. The best way I’m educating this can be a totally different avenue of lucidity with totally different targets 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 develop into lucid inside it. Usually your aim is to meet your fantasies or no matter. Whereas after we do it from a meditative perspective, we usually do it the opposite manner, going from wakefulness into lucid dreaming or wakefulness into lucid sleep. However it will probably simply by chance occur the opposite manner and the aim, as a substitute of fulfilling your fantasies, is to have the ability to meditate there as effectively. Discover the standing of the dreaming world when you’re lucid dreaming. It’s all a building. Even the standing of being in lucid sleep, the place there’s really no sensory enter of any type: 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 strong 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 a variety 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 12 months each single week, generally extra, and it’s actually strong. 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 assume it’s like a query remark blended. It’s this factor I’ve been scuffling with which is just like the awakeness, the traits of it that emerge, proper? I’ve in all probability 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 the entire pitfalls of distancing your self from the appearances that you simply expertise, or moving into them. The remark query is what’s the purpose? However that’s sort 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 track ought to I play? Play a track 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 manner of working. Discover, for all of the final weeks I preserve 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 all the time saying, that’s solely midway there as a result of you possibly can 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 you then go do the ego stuff. That’s what we’ve been doing our entire lives. As an alternative, if that equipment doesn’t get engaged, you simply begin doing stuff. It’s the identical recreation: don’t have interaction the equipment.
Questioner 2: I believe 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 essentially the most woo attainable language, the vitality simply desires 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 identical 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 when you have a variety of alive vitality, and no one’s doing it.
Questioner 2: That resonates, but it surely’s very horrifying to me proper now as a result of it’s new. So thanks.
Questioner 3: Hello Michael. One factor that was a bit bit tough this time round was my leg obtained fairly painful about two-thirds of the best way in. Often, once I do a extra vipassana kind follow, it’s like, deal with it, and that does assist with the ache a bit. On this case there’s simply a variety of “don’t do something about it,” and it made it trickier to expertise any degree of reduction. So, I’m questioning if in case you have something to supply about that.
Michael: Yeah, so we do know that if you happen to do actual centered vipassana on it there will be super quantity of reduction in that, proper? So, that may be a fantastic factor to do. However, why does the vipassana offer you reduction? What’s the important high quality that’s doing it, or offering it?
Questioner 3: Properly, no less than in my subjective expertise, it turns the feeling into one thing that’s a bit bit I don’t know–fluffy. It simply sort of bubbles there for a bit.
Michael: Yeah, so I might interpret that utilizing Buddhist language: you’re seeing the vacancy of the feeling which is providing you with a variety of equanimity round it. What does it imply to say see the vacancy of one thing? It means we’re not partaking thought constructs round it. We’re not making it right into a factor. We’re seeing that it’s a wide-open circulation of expertise. So, on this manner of working all you do is discover that even that ache is simply large open large awakeness. You’re not making it into an object. It’s really the draw back of getting into as vipassana: as you make it into an object after which slowly by concentrating on it quite a bit, you come to see a few of its non-object-ness. Whereas, after we do it this manner, you simply don’t flip it into an object within the first place, proper? It’s only a circulation of sensation in large openness, so if you happen to don’t seize on to the thought of the ache as an object, it goes manner additional than the vipassana with out even doing something.
Questioner 3: Yeah, I believe it’d simply be that I’m used to doing it a method so sort of doing the alternative observe despite the fact that 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 could have a query?
Questioner 4: I believe mine is extra of a report additionally. I really feel the 90s meditations are coming again into vogue today. It’s sort of entertaining. I really feel like once 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 believe we talked about it in one other group however I’m attempting 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 every little thing is okay, you already are that Golden Buddha. However, to me, what I notice sitting right here, but in addition beforehand, how belief can be a key to extra dualistic practices. How, if you’re digging by way of the roots and useless our bodies it’s not essentially about purification or attempting to see one thing, like how fucked up you’re, or your loved ones is. It’s extra about sort of artificially creating adversity so you possibly 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 virtually like it’s a must to create that initiation for your self, that hardship, so you possibly can bond even additional with the potential for deepening. Even if you obtained there you may nonetheless really feel sort of agitated.
Like what’s subsequent? Is there extra? How lengthy can I keep there? It seems like if you’re utilizing this adversity as a risk to see how one can undergo that perhaps nonetheless struggling and nonetheless not feeling such as you’re getting it. However on the identical time cultivating that deeper belief in a risk and to me that become a unique orientation in comparison with the Christian or Judaic idea of needing to purify or I have to do XYZ. Or perhaps even like a Hindu idea of like conceal and search of Shiva/Shakti and the way once more the way you artificially cut up issues simply so you possibly can see the wholeness.
Michael: You recognize there’s a very fascinating manner of understanding meditation. For most individuals, we consider meditation as a selected method. Or a selected, perhaps a number of, explicit methods or entire traditions of many methods. I do know you understand this, however we will do the identical method with totally different views. So really the outline of what you do could be similar however the place you’re coming from may be very totally different, and it results in a unique end result, as a result of you could have a unique view despite the fact that you’re doing precisely the identical factor method, proper? You with me to date?
So what you’re doing proper now, with what you simply mentioned, is you’re bringing a nondual view again to dualistic methods. That’s the way you’re presupposed 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 methods are dualistic and these are nondualistic methods, and to a sure extent that’s true. But it surely’s additionally flawed, as a result of even all of the dualistic methods we will convey nondual view to these and do them precisely as they’re described however from a completely totally different view, after which they’ve this complete 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 is just not typical, that’s not like how these are taught from inside their very own traditions often. But when we convey 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 if you happen to’re doing them from the conscious openness large openness. So does that handle what you’re speaking about?
Questioner 4: I assume just a bit nuance to that–once 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 sort of ineffective but it surely’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 methods, twin or nondual.
Michael: Yeah, fascinating. So one of many principal issues we’re attempting to develop for once 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 ponder as you understand your psychology transforms, if you happen to may begin not noticing your meditation is absolutely altering additionally proper again into one thing fairly totally different. Let’s preserve going.
Questioner 5: Hello, whereas we’re doing vipassana evaluating and contrasting with this follow, I discover quite a bit much less consciousness of intention, which may really feel like spontaneity however I’m undecided whether or not I’m lacking one thing, or that’s a function, or what to make of that?
Michael: I believe spontaneity is strictly the correct description. What you’re calling intention we may simply translate as attempting 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 manner, 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 usually drawn to the feeling of how shiny my eyes are, or how large my imaginative and prescient is.
Michael: What was noticing that? No matter was noticing the brightness or noticing…
Questioner 6: It felt not shiny, and never large, and never open. So, each time I used to be looking for white and/or large and shiny and open, it felt away from no matter was noticing. It felt out into different features 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, all the time, okay. I’ll say that if you happen to preserve tuning into the factor that’s noticing, it gained’t be positioned anyplace it’s not positioned in a spot. So ultimately you’ll discover this openness and large awakeness and large openness, as a result of at first we predict the noticer is positioned able however the extra you examine that the extra you discover that it’s not positioned anyplace. However discover out for your self. I simply suspect that that’s what you’ll discover ultimately.
Questioner 7: Hello Michael. One factor I seen is that there’s an emphasis on stillness
Michael: Did I ever use the phrase Stillness?
Questioner 7: I believe you steered not shifting, and my query is, can’t we transfer however simply be large open and conscious as we do it?
Michael: You could possibly, 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 pondering the extra you’ll fidget, and the much less you’re hooked into your pondering your physique will simply begin to actually, simply chill out. So, we’re not tightly sitting in stillness, we’re identical 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 shifting actually.
So positive, 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 form 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. But it surely’s like that is providing some suggestions about that proper, discover that if you happen to decouple from the neurotic ideas your physique can really feel okay impulsively, 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 a bit 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 could be my very own mind
Michael: Typically I say that, however I don’t suppose I mentioned that tonight. However, perhaps 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 or not it’s and I get you understand on the backside of the hill or no matter there it seems like consciousness isn’t a factor so you possibly can’t discover it and so the notice goes away and the noticing goes away and I can’t inform if it’s taking place.
Michael: I’m confused. Consciousness goes away, so that you’re unconscious? When you’re not unconscious, then consciousness is there.
Questioner 8: But it surely’s not one thing I can level to too, and that could be linked 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 vital 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 difficulty is…
Michael: It’s not coming from anyplace however it may be positioned 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 vital, but it surely’s not a conundrum. Simply permit the wakefulness to be awake. I saved saying relaxation as conscious large openness. I didn’t say discover awakeness. I may say that–strive it proper now. Discover awakeness.
Questioner 8: Yeah, it’s sort of every little thing.
Michael: There it’s. It’s not laborious to do.
Questioner 8: Yeah, proper, cool, thanks.
Questioner 9: I assume I want some steering as a result of I’ve been right here seven or eight instances, and I might say greater than half I simply discover totally different sensations. So the primary time it occurred I believe my cheek was itchy and I used to be questioning ought to I scratch it or ought to I simply let or not it’s. So I used to be working towards letting or not it’s after which I seen my ankle would itch after which someplace else and someplace else. 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 enviornment 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 steering. I simply preserve watching these items. Is that this useful?
Michael: Yeah, you’re beginning to discover the large 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 enjoyable these psychological bins. 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 fantastic. I’ve been watching on-line for a very long time. It’s stunning to be on this area. I’ve a query. On the finish of this, my expertise tonight was actually, actually tough. Plenty of simply attempting to let go, let go, I have to let go, till it simply wasn’t. And what occurred was every little thing simply turned actually playful virtually, and sort 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: Properly I don’t know, are you tricking your self?
Questioner 10: I like being playful.
Michael: Possibly the playfulness may be very enticing, however are you doing it?
Questioner 10: It didn’t really feel that manner, no.
Michael: You then’re in all probability not tricking your self. It’s simply if you cease combating so laborious–I imply–take into consideration a bit child, proper, they haven’t discovered that every little thing’s an issue, and I’ve to work work work work work–they’re simply sort of enjoying on a regular basis. And, more often than not, until they like are hungry or hit their head or no matter, they’re in a fantastic temper, as a result of every little thing’s simply sort of–wow!–and it’s solely when, oh I obtained, I obtained, I obtained, that every little thing begins sucking. So that you dropped it, and it was like, oh, this feels sort 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 entire concept that, I obtained 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 identical to this once I’m not attempting so laborious all proper.
Superb. Let’s finish issues there.
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