When we notice what’s here, what do we notice?
Mostly, we notice sensory experiences and this human self doing, feeling, thinking, and so on.
We may notice it’s all happening within and as awareness.
And we may also notice a range of other things. One of these is that this human self is on autopilot in two different ways.
He is on autopilot in that he is doing things on his own. He operates on his own. The more mind has released identification as being this human self, the more he is seen as operating on his own. He is on autopilot. This can be a disconcerning discovery, but as we get used to it it’s a relief.
He is also on autopilot in a more conventional sense. A lot of daily tasks are automated. They don’t require a lot of scrutiny. This is evolution’s way to help us free up resources to the occasional tasks that do require more intention and effort.
We are present with this human self. And this human self is operating on his own. And a lot of daily tasks are automated. So in both of these ways, he is – in the best possible way – on autopilot.
In this context, being on autopilot does not mean being distracted or absent minded. It means being present with this human self while he is on autopilot in these two ways.
Note: How do we discover that this human self is operating on his or her own? How is identification released? It can happen in different ways. Sometimes, glimpses of all as the One helps soften and release identifications. Sometimes, it comes through active investigation and exploration – for instance inquiry, healing work, and energy work.
And a personal note: For me, it was disconcerning to discover that this human self operates on his own. There was a bit of fear coming up. If “nobody is there” to take care of business, how can he function? But he does. He knows very well how to function. Life lives his life. The One lives his life.
It’s always that way, for all of us. Life or the One lives our lives. And the initial noticing may bring up slight worry.
The second form of autopilot is a no-brainer. We need to automate a wide range of tasks in daily life to even be able to function. It’s evolution’s gifts to us.
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Initial notes…..
- present with being on autopilot
- most of the time, I am present with being on autopilot
- I do ordinary everyday tasks, and it’s largely automated
- with ordinary tasks, being on autopilot is appropriate and helpful (conserves energy)
- mindfulness is not about scrutinizing everything
- most of the time, I am present with being on autopilot
ordinary largely automated tasks
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Initial notes 2…..
- present with being on autopilot, in two ways
- (a) this human self operating on his own
- (b) in a conventional sense
- …..
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Initial draft…..
Mindfulness, in it’s simplest form, means noticing what’s here.
Notice it’s present. Notice it happens within and as awareness.
And what’s noticed? Most of the time, it’s sensory experiences and a human that functions on its own. This human is operating on his own. Speaking. Doing. Experiencing. Feeling. Thoughting.
A lot of that happens on autopilot. This human self knows how to do daily tasks and don’t need to put a lot of effort into it. No serious scrutinizing is needed.
So when we are mindful, what are we mindful of? Often, it’s this human being on autopilot. And that’s is as it should be. That’s one of evolution’s gifts. We naturally automate daily tasks to leave resources to the occasional tasks that require more intention and effort.
Really, we are present with this human being who is on autopilot in two ways.
First, this human self operates on his own. In that sense, he is on autopilot. When identification is released out of this human self, and there is more noticing of it all happening within and as awareness, there is a sense of this human self operating on his own.
And this human self is often on autopilot in a more conventional sense. Many tasks are automated thanks to evolution.