I find two main forms of rest.
One is the conventional one, a resting and relaxation of body and mind. This is a relaxation of the human self, a relaxation within content of experience.
Another is the rest that’s already here, life (mind, awareness) already allowing what’s here. It is a rest since all is allowed. Any content of experience is allowed, including stress, tension, drama, relaxation, and more.
The first form of rest may make it easier for the second form of rest to be noticed, especially at first, although it’s certainly not required.
The second form of rest, or rather the noticing of this second form of rest, may allow the first form of rest, although that’s just a side-effect and not really the point.
And this second form of rest can be noticed and recognized and even realized to different extent. In the beginning, it may be more of a noticing. Then, the “center of gravity” may shift into this allowing and this natural rest, more and more. Until this rest awakens to itself, as what’s already here, independent of any content of experience.
At first, it may seem like a “practice”, sometimes we do at special times, and when it’s remembered. And after a while, it’s just a recognizing – and perhaps realization – of what’s already here, and there is more of a living from this in daily life.
Inquiry comes in here too, apart from just the noticing. What is it that seems to prevent this allowing of what’s here, as it is? What seems to prevent this noticing? What do I find when I look at it? What do I find when I explore the images, words and sensations that appear to prevent this allowing or noticing? This may also seem like a practice at first, something done at special occasions, and then it’s revealed as a more natural curiosity, and a natural and simple looking and feeling in daily life.
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– rest
— (a) conventional sense, resting body and mind, allowing to relax
— (b) notice all is already allowed, a resting as that which already allows (and is)
— mutual support – (a) makes it easier to notice (b), and (b) often invites in/leads to (a)
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– rest
— conventional sense, deep breathe, relax muscles, “let go” of worries etc.
— sink into experience as is, whatever content of experience is here
— field of experience/awareness notices itself as that field, the rest that’s already here (no “other”), independent of content of experience
Again, nothing new here and just a little reminder for myself.
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There are perhaps two main forms of rest.
One is rest as it’s often understood conventionally. Breathe deeply. Relax the muscles. Allow your mind to relax. It’s an intentional resting of body and mind. It happens within content of experience.
Another is the resting that’s already here. And this can be eased into, it can be noticed, and it can be lived and realized more fully. (a) Sink into experience as it is. Allow sensations, words, images, sounds, whatever is here, allow it as it is. (b) Notice it’s allowed as it is. It’s already allowed. (c) The field of experience/awareness recognizing itself as this field, more fully. The center of gravity shifting from identification as a part of this field, to the field as a whole.