In basic meditation, we notice and allow any experience that’s here.
We notice it’s already allowed and noticed.
And we may notice that any and all experience comes and goes, including what we take ourselves to be.
So what is it that doesn’t come and go?
If we are asked that question, our mind will likely look for something within the content of experience. After all, that’s what we are used to looking for, and the word “what” may also suggest we are looking for a kind of thing.
But this what doesn’t refer to a thing. It refers to what our experiences – the world as it appears to us – happens within and as.
And although it’s what we inevitably are most familiar with, it’s also ephemeral and unpinnable. It cannot be pinned down by thoughts or concepts.
Our mind will create mental representations of this and call it oneness, love, consciousness, or something else. Our mind may also mistake these mental representations for what they point to. So it’s helpful to be aware of these mental representations and examine them and notice that these too happen within and as what we are.
INITIAL OUTLINE
- What is it that doesn’t come and go?
- basic meditation
- any content of experience, including what we may take ourselves to be, comes and goes
- so what is it that doesn’t come and go?
- the mind will tend to look for something within the content of experience, also because of the word “what” which may appear to point to a thing of some sort
- but the “what” doesn’t refer to a thing, it refers to what any and all experiences happen within and as
- and although its what we inevitably are the most familiar with, it’s also ephemeral and unpinnable, it cannot be pinned down by thoughts or concepts
As soon as it appears as something within content of experience, what we are looking at is mental i