MuMuWu's Practice Journal

O fortunate children, listen to these words!
The term 'mind' is commonplace and widely used,
yet there are those who do not understand [its meaning],
those who falsely understand it, those who partially understand it,
and those who have not quite understood its genuine reality.
Thus there has arisen an inconceivably vast number of assertions [as to the nature of mind],
posited by [the various] philosophical systems.
Further, since ordinary persons do not understand [the meaning of the term mind],
and do not intuitively recognize its nature,
they continue to roam through the six classes of sentient [rebirth] within the three world systems,
and consequently experience suffering.
This is the fault of not understanding this intrinsic nature of mind.

The Three Considerations

The following is the introduction [to the means of experiencing] this [single] nature [of mind]
through the application of three considerations.
[First, recognize that] past thoughts are traceless, clear, and empty.
[Second, recognize that] future thoughts are unproduced and fresh,
And [third, recognize that] the present moment abides naturally and unconstructed.
When this ordinary, momentary consciousness is examined nakedly [and directly] by oneself,
upon examination, it is a radiant awareness,
which is free from the presence of an observer,
manifestly stark and clear,
completely empty and uncreated in all respects,
lucid without duality of radiance and emptiness,
not permanent, for it is lacking inherent existence in all respects,
not a mere nothingness, for it is radiant and clear,
not a single entity, for it is clearly perceptible as a multiplicity,
yet not existing inherently as a multiplicity, for it is indivisible and of a single savour.
This intrinsic awareness, which is not extraneously derived,
is itself the genuine introduction to the abiding nature of [all] things.
For in this intrinsic awareness the three Buddha bodies are inseparable and fully present as one.

Though the single [nature of] mind which completely pervades both cyclic existence and nirvana,
has been naturally present from the beginning, you have not recognized it.
Even though its radiance and awareness have never been interrupted,
you have not yet encountered its true face.
Even though it arises unimpededly in every facet [of existence],
you have not as yet recognized [this single nature of mind].
In order that this [single] nature might be recognized by you,
the Conquerors of the three times have taught an inconceivably [vast number of practices],
including the eighty-four thousand aspects of the [sacred] teachings.
Yet, [despite this diversity], not even one of these [teachings] has been given by the Conquerers,
outside the context of an understanding of this nature!
[And even] though there are inestimable volumes of sacred writings, equally vast as the limits of space,
actually, [these teachings] can be succinctly expressed in a few words, which are the Introduction to Awareness.

When the introduction is powerfully applied in accordance with the [above] method for entering into this [reality]:
one's own immediate consciousness is this very [reality]! [Abiding] in this [reality], which is uncontrived and naturally radiant, how can one say that one does not understand the nature of mind?
[Abiding] in this [reality], wherein there is nothing on which to meditate,
how can one say that by having entered into meditation one was not successful?
[Abiding] in this [reality], which is one's own actual awareness itself,
how can one say that one could not find one's own mind?
[Abiding] in this [reality], the uninterrupted [union] of radiance and awareness,
how can one say that the [true] face of mind has not been seen?
[Abiding] in this [reality], which is itself the cognizer,
how can one say that, though sought, this [cognizer] could not be found?
[Abiding] in this [reality], where there is nothing at all to be done,
how can one say that, whatever one did, one did not succeed?

Given that it is sufficient to leave [this awareness] as it is,
uncontrived,
how can one say that one could not continue to abide [in that state]?
Given that it is sufficient to leave it as it is, without doing anything whatsoever,
how can one say that one could not do just that?
Given that, within this [reality], radiance, awareness, and emptiness are inseparable and spontaneously present,
how can one say that, by having practiced, one attained nothing?
Given that [this reality] is naturally originating and spontaneously present, without causes or conditions,
how can one say that, by having made the effort [to find it], one was incapable of success?
Given that the arising and liberation of conceptual thoughts occurs simultaneously,
how can one say that, by having applied this antidote to conceptual thoughts, one was not effective?
[Abiding] in this immediate consciousness itself,
how can one say that one does not know this [reality]?

Observations Related to Examining the Nature of Mind

Be certain that the nature of mind is empty and without foundation.
One's own mind is insubstantial like an empty sky.
Look at your own mind to see whether it is like that or not.

Divorced from views which constructively determine [the nature of] emptiness,
be certain that pristine cognition, naturally originating, is primordially radiant -
just like the nucleus of the Sun, which is itself naturally originating.
Look at your own mind to see whether it is like that or not!

Be certain that this awareness, which is pristine cognition, is uninterrupted,
like the coursing central torrent of a river which flows unceasingly.
Look at your own mind to see whether it is like that or not!

Be certain that conceptual thoughts and fleeting memories are not strictly identifiable,
but insubstantial in their motion, like the breezes of the atmosphere.
Look at your own mind to see whether it is like that or not!

Be certain that all that appears is naturally manifest [in the mind],
like the images in the mirror which [also] appear naturally.
Look at your own mind to see whether it is like that or not!

Be certain that all characteristics are liberated right where they are,
like the clouds of the atmosphere, naturally originating and naturally dissolving.
Look at your own mind to see whether it is like that or not!

There are no phenomenon extraneous to those that originate from the mind.
[So], how could there be anything on which to meditate apart from the mind?
There are no phenomenon extraneous to those that originate from the mind.
[So], there are no modes of conduct to be undertaken extraneous [to those that originate from the mind].
There are no phenomenon extraneous to those that originate from the mind.
[So], there are no commitments to be kept extraneous [to those that originate from the mind].
There are no phenomenon extraneous to those that originate from the mind.
[So], there are no results to be attained extraneous [to those that originate from the mind].
There are no phenomenon extraneous to those that originate from the mind.
[So], one should observe one's mind, looking into its nature again and again.

If, upon looking outwards towards the external expanse of the sky,
there are no projections emanated by the mind,
and if, on looking inwards at one's own mind,
there is no projectionist who projects [thoughts] by thinking them,
then, one's own mind, completely free from conceptual projections, will be luminously clear.

-- The above posts are from The Tibetan Book of the Dead (first complete translation)

www.nalanda-university.com/buddhist-ayur...ination_12-links.htm

Twelvefold Conditioned Arising

1) Ignorance, 2) Karmic Formation (Actions, Impulses), 3) Consciousness, 4) Name and Form, 5) Six Involvements (Six Senses), 6) Contact (with Six Sense Objects), 7) Feeling (Sensation), Craving, 9) Grasping, 10) Existence, 11) Birth, 12) Old Age and Death.

I got this from Kenneth today Re: The tibetan book of the dead (about the last several posts I quoted above)

"Thanks for posting it, Jayson. I just read through it. I find this particular pointing out instruction misleading as it seems to imply that one can experience awareness. This one subtle point throws a lot of people off. That's why I've been teaching the ships in the harbor; knowing that you are not supposed to hear them, that you could not possibly hear them, and that you are not sure what you should be listening for makes all the difference. The heat is off. It's not about possessing the sounds or even experiencing them. It's about a gesture, an orientation. When you turn toward the essence of mind, which may or may not exist, something wonderful happens. The mind gets big and soft, spacious and still. There is wakefulness. And yet this remarkable experience, which is in every way satisfactory, is not awareness. It is rather the human experience of listening for that which cannot be heard. This is Mahamudra.


Metta,
Kenneth"

Thanks for sharing this so we can all learn from it.

Just used a program on my ipod called roman timer. It's actually meant for doing the century club drinking game, but it's awesome for meditating. I set it to buzz every 3 minutes and then I did 4 foundations of mindfulness practice, noting one foundation exclusively for a three minute period before switching to the next one. I did this for about 50 minutes. This work amazingly well.

I didn't seem to start out at A&P. Over the course of the 50 minutes I seemed to go from what I think is 1st nana up to 11th (definitley went through the dukkha nanas after hitting what seemed to be A&P and Dissolution). Spent some very pleasant time in equanimity, which became really solid (I don't know if this makes sense, but things come together and start happening simultaneously, one solid experience) and I think I had a fruition (instant change in overall feel, focusing ahead and bright).

Anyhoo, regardless of the specifics, I highly recommend a practice like this (I was noting out loud) using a timer. It's a great way to keep things moving and interesting.

Great idea. What's the exact name of the application? I can't find "roman timer" in the app store.

They renamed it to century timer.

They are also charging now. The free program rerun looks like it would work.

I did a similar practice a while ago with Shinzens techniques, before our iPod died. I'd just use the built-in timer, set it to 10 minutes, practice "focus in" until the timer sounded, then I'd restart it and practice "focus out" ... and so on.
I'll try it with the four foundations using www.mindfulnessdc.org/mindfulclock.html

Revisiting witness practice in a big way today. Not concerning myself with using it as a vehicle to ride the arc (although that is happening in the background) but more-so with the sense of relief and detachment from suffering. This has been a big relief and I am enjoying it thoroughly. I'm hoping to stick with it for a while and see how far this goes, but I've been dwelling in it for about 6 hours or so now.

"The beginning and the end of this understanding is the knowledge '˜I am'. The beginning of concepts started with the primary concept '˜I am'. Having wandered through all the concepts, and rejected them, you have to get rid of this last or the first concept."

- www.maharajnisargadatta.com/nisargadatta..._of_conciousness.php

Just went for for a walk with my dog for about an hour. Starting out I was just relaxing, allowing things to flow. I then switched to 2nd gear for a while. There was a lot of tension at various points in the body so I decided to give direct mode a go again. About half way through the walk there was a major shift in perception. Everything was so clear and direct and beautiful. It was very clear how keeping things technique based in this case was key. Maintaining a full body awareness (I was aware of my legs walking, my hands swinging, etc. all at once). I was also brining attention to the various points of tension as they arose in the body (it helped to remember the image of a hand resting on those points).

It was clear that although things did look wonderful and there was a real sense of beauty, it was maintaing the awareness of the body and tension points that was making these qualities manifest and that getting caught up in my thoughts and such about what I was seeing would cause those qualities to fade. So I continued to do the grounding (hold the kill switch).

Doing this while walking is a real treat and is such a relief. Trees, birds, streams, traffic, chimneys, people, clouds, grass, snow - all beautiful.

I switched to a satvvic diet ( en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sattvic_diet ) as an experiment a few days ago.

I am feeling large amounts of bliss and pleasure in the body the past few days as well. I'm not sure how related the two are but it sure is interesting.

Just want to say how much I appreciate your journal. It's a great resource.

Thanks Kacchapa, I always read your journal (it's very good).

some very vivid dreams last night

also woke up at one point and experienced a flash of light and a popping sound

felt really nice after too

quite mellow today, although nothing major

Thanks. Should have said how generous all your involvement here is.
You've always been very supportive of yogi's individual practice journals,
and yours is a very cool community resource, imho. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks!

I'm feeling thinned out in some way the past couple of days. I woke up feeling quite unburdened. I'm not feeling bliss, but I feel quite untroubled the past couple of days.

Wonderful...

Just went for a walk at lunch (20 minutes)

Attending to the air on the skin and distant sounds gives one a real clue as to when the focus narrows (you lose sight of these). I was trying to allow for as big of a focus (lens) as possible. Eventually I am noticing more and more of what's going on and feeling more and more present and relaxed. About halfway through the walk there is a huge difference in overall experience compared to when I departed.

The mind is so big, so present. Nothing is a problem - even the garbage looks beautiful. There is occasional chatter from the mind, but it is no problem and just settles back to whence it came. For the most part there is very little selfing happening. It is mostly just what is happening in the senses and as I said even the mind is seen as just arising and passing.

Delicious...

GO FOR A WALK!!!

Pressure / Energy block at the crown... advice?