Reflections of a mind

I reflected this morning and thought it good to share.

In terms of progress, whileever there is mind, the point of all practice is for mind to observe mind. Observe is the operative word here, if we are not observing we are part of the story. I use the word 'practice' it is in terms of progress to realizing the unconditioned reality.

The mind 'thinks' it can control the mind. The reality is the mind can only 'control' by bring itself into the story it created. To not be in the story there are no options here, the mind can only relinguish control and just observe itself.

So the pointy end can only ever be about the mind to observing the mind. Practice is not directly about what is known, the speed noting, the depth of concentration or the numerous other possible attainments because of themselves they will only ever be from mind. The fact that we 'think' these are progress does nothing to unconditioned reality.

It is mind that thinks mind is good or bad; observe this.

Regards
Gary

Hi Gary,
Wonderful! You made so many important points here, I don't know if I need to say anything about them. I mean, you've grasped the fundamental point here. So anything I say could only serve to ratify your statements and, perhaps, help others to understand why these are so wonderfully important.

(1) "[where] there is mind, the point of all practice is for mind to observe mind". Key points: When mind arises from Primordial Awareness, then observe mind. If no mind arises, then rest as Primordial Awarness, or the Brightness of rigpa.

(2) "mind can only 'control' by bring[-ing] itself into the story it created." Key points: Mind imposes meaning by bundling experiences into a story. Once the story thus begins, it can evovle or unwind according to its own internal dynamics. But if mind intervenes because it doesn't like how the story is going, then both mind and story become unbalanced. As my late, great guru Adi Da said, "Relax, nothing is under control."

(3) "attainments...of themselves they will only ever be from mind. The fact that we 'think' these are progress does nothing to unconditioned reality." Key point: In the words of the Heart Sutra "There is nothing to be attained". This means that nothing which can be attained through focused effort is a prerequisite for Awakening. All attainments are, at best, activities to keep us interested and curious and motivated to find out what the heck is going on and why all this **** keeps happening. Once you find out what and why (i.e. Awaken) , then the futility of all previous efforts becomes quite humorous.

(4) "It is mind that thinks mind is good or bad; observe this." Key point: As the poet Rumi put it: "Beyond notions of right-doing and wrong-doing, there is a field. I will meet you there."
[Editing note: Hey, I just discovered that this website translates sh!+ as ****.]

"Practice is not directly about what is known, the speed noting, the depth of concentration or the numerous other possible attainments because of themselves they will only ever be from mind.

It is mind that thinks mind is good or bad; observe this. - Gary
"

Yes, well said.
All the "this and that" labels that we may apply to our "progress" are based on conceptualizations... discrimination's of the mind.
It's only when we let go... releasing the mind of it's attachment to exerting control -- then, it can rest in the Primordial Awareness.

Many times, when I'm practicing meditation, I find myself exerting effort as if I'm trying to get to some destination. It's only at the moment when I remind myself to just observe Mind effortlessly, relinquishing "control" of trying to get anywhere... then, at that moment it all gets clear, quiet, and still (not sure if it's actually to the point of resting in Primordial Awareness, but it is a "stillness" without anything to be "observed").

For me, it take a lot of diligent work (training of the mind) in order to finally practice "effortlessness." Sometimes it happens wonderfully, and other times it doesn't.
I guess this is also "not two."