There's this article which I read and think is very good, well written and very practical. It is talks given in retreat, so there is a lot of practical instructions.
The article is about awareness as 'spontaneously arising'. Thusness also thinks that the author is writing from deep non-dual experience and very clear on the experience and understanding of no-self, though the aspect of empty nature arising as Dependent Origination is still missing.
The article: http://www.vajraloka.org/docs/pure-awareness.pdf
Another related article, this one I haven't read: http://www.vajraloka.org/tejanandasarticles/Entering%20Pure%20Awareness%20-%208-03.pdf
Thusness says:
First is ‘someone’ is dropping…
Second is dropping appears as a mirror reflecting…
Third is there is only endless dropping without footing and mental reasoning…
Fourth is dropping as vivid wide opening…
Fifth is vivid wide opening as everything…
Sixth is only Dharma spontaneously manifesting…
Thusness says:
Actually the article is also about experiencing 'dropping' in this sequence as what i have written in the post for Isis.
Thusness says:
and manifestation about sensation, five aggregates and 18 dhatus
Thusness says:
it is not about concentration
Originally posted by An Eternal Now:There's this article which I read and think is very good, well written and very practical. It is talks given in retreat, so there is a lot of practical instructions.
The article is about awareness as 'spontaneously arising'. Thusness also thinks that the author is writing from deep non-dual experience and very clear on the experience and understanding of no-self, though the aspect of empty nature arising as Dependent Origination is still missing.
The article: http://www.vajraloka.org/docs/pure-awareness.pdf
Another related article, this one I haven't read: http://www.vajraloka.org/tejanandasarticles/Entering%20Pure%20Awareness%20-%208-03.pdf
Yes AEN,
Despite all controversies surrounding FWBO, I think this is a good article. There are just a few points I want to make.
Although the article is about the 'spontaneous arising', it is not possible for effortlessness to arise when we treat Awareness to be mirror-like reflecting. This will become clear only at the later phase of our practice.
Even when insight of anatta arises and no-self is experienced, the 'who' may be gone, but still the 'tendency to remain as a center' remains and is taking 'forms' in a very subtle way. It manifests as the sensation of the 'hereness', 'nowness' and 'this Presence'. Quickly the 'here and now and presence' becomes the 'goal' of practice.
In truth 'here-ness' and 'now-ness' is as inherent as 'selfness' that is equally empty of inherent existence and must be correctly experienced as equally empty (non-inherent) in nature. Practitioners will have to replace this core with 'dependent orginination' but this need must arise as an insight. This is the essence of stage 6.
The article is also full of dualistic expressions despite his non-dual experiences. As I have told you before, not to underestimate the impact of the constant chattering in a dualistic manner. If we continuously repeat “phenomenon arises in awareness” and not “as Awareness”, even though there never was a separation, consciousness will see as if there is a separation. Although it may seem to be a casual expression for communication sake, the impact is subtle. In time to come, the slow and subtle impact will make separation appears amazingly real. This is true even for those that have experienced non-duality; they are not spared from it.
Lastly never underestimate the strength of the 'bond'. It is the very reason why we are lost. The grasping of 'here-ness and now-ness' is also the result of it. So give equal importance on the aspect that consciousness incessantly creates imprints upon itself and once formed is difficult to break. Many Advaita as well as Buddhist practitioners that emerge as masters after certain glimpses of our Awareness and its non-dual luminosity often neglect this point. They got overwhelmed and skewed towards luminosity. This 'tendency of creating imprints' is as beginless as our non-dual nature, we must see Consciousness as it is. Do take this seriously and there will be no problem understanding why we are lost despite our luminous nature. :)
I see... Thanks, Thusness :)
For those who prefer to read on website instead of PDF, and also, with an additional Appendix B section: http://tejanandajohnwakeman.googlepages.com/pureawareness
His blog: http://tejanandajohnwakeman.googlepages.com/
His other writings: http://tejanandajohnwakeman.googlepages.com/writings
Originally posted by Thusness:In truth 'here-ness' and 'now-ness' is as inherent as 'selfness' that is equally empty of inherent existence and must be correctly experienced as equally empty (non-inherent) in nature. Practitioners will have to replace this core with 'dependent orginination' but this need must arise as an insight. This is the essence of stage 6.
Just a note to readers, the 'stage 6' that Thusness mentioned here is not talking about the 'six stages of dropping' I pasted above, rather it is talking about: http://awakeningtoreality.blogspot.com/2007/03/thusnesss-six-stages-of-experience.html
Originally posted by An Eternal Now:I see... Thanks, Thusness :)
Just a sharing. I am full of joy. :)
Try not to talk too much about spontaneous arising; before the thorough experience of anatta and the replacement of the core, the center with Dependent Origination, there will be no true understanding of spontaneous arising and effortlessness.
Practice hard so that you may come to know that whatever said is only relevant conventionally. Ultimately, everything is alright.
How amazing!
Homage to Buddha, my Teacher.
I see...