Simply Ripples within the Infinite Ocean of Consciousness

Nontwin Guided Meditation with Michael Taft

Let’s start. What I need you to do is simply, form of, settle again into your seat, your asana. I need you to simply examine in with your self to see what it’s wish to be you proper now, feeling your physique and your feelings and taking the climate report in your thoughts and your entire being. No matter’s happening simply let that be fully okay, even when it’s actually disagreeable for now, simply let that be simply the best way it’s and that’s positive. So we’re checking in with ourselves, seeing what it’s wish to be you proper now, and nonetheless that’s, is excellent for now.

Good, and now I’d such as you to simply do a slight imaginal journey with me right here and picture that you just’re sitting like an ocean, like a boundless, huge ocean. It has that lovely placidity and leisure of water, there’s zero stress in any a part of it. It’s actually free and open. We’re not transferring in any manner anymore we’re merely resting as water, huge, open, and on this case, completely clear water. So simply fake to be sitting like an ocean no matter which means for you and see if you will discover that sense of relaxation, that sense of leisure, and ease, and a few sense of actual openness and readability. And see that focus or focus could also be tight however consciousness itself is like this ocean. 

Consciousness itself is of course relaxed and comfortable, naturally broad open and easy, naturally clear. And permit consciousness to note, with out effort and with out focusing, with none consideration in any respect, simply enable this wide-open consciousness to note the rising and falling of the breath. If you wish to you possibly can even see it as a wave within the ocean however minimally, simply let your already broad open, conscious consciousness simply discover that the breath is rising and falling. Don’t put any stress on it, no tightness, no focus, simply broad open, noticing that the breath, the wave of the breath rises and falls within the huge ocean of wide-open consciousness. It doesn’t take any effort in any respect. It’s simple and relaxed.

I need you to simply hold permitting consciousness to note that breath wave, once more, with out stress, with out focus, simply know that it’s taking place. And you’ll hold it virtually just like the heartbeat or background of the follow. And as you’re doing that I invite you to do some bodily leisure starting together with your head and face. So simply invite particularly your face to simply let go of any mounted expression or tightness or stress, not stretching or transferring, however simply permitting stress to empty from the face and get replaced with a way of ease and peace within the face. So that you just discover your brow muscle tissue stress-free somewhat bit and feeling form of good in your eyebrows and particularly the tense muscle tissue round your eyes launch and chill out, your eyelids let go, your cheeks and mouth and lips chill out, and your jaw releases to the place the place your higher and decrease tooth will not be touching. And simply discover that that already brings a deeper sense of ease, a deeper sense of letting go which you can tune into. It doesn’t require any effort, it’s only a form of letting go of effort, letting go of tightening on goal, simply releasing that.

After which, let’s do the identical factor with our neck and throat, and shoulders, releasing any stress and changing that with openness and ease, and house. Now what generally occurs is: if individuals discover stress in a spot, they’ll begin to battle it, and attempt to do away with it and all that, and that’s not what we’re doing. It’s merely no matter you possibly can discover which you can simply let go, simply let go and luxuriate in that. And something that stays–desires to remain tense, then don’t battle it, simply let it’s the best way it’s. 

If you end up getting drowsy, go forward and open your eyes and sit up somewhat straighter. It makes it somewhat simpler. there’s the muscle in your throat that should you chill out, it makes your voice deeper. It’s only a form of leisure. So should you can chill out that, go forward and try this. And simply really feel now how your face and neck and throat and shoulders are. There’s just a bit extra ease. There’s somewhat extra space. And permit your arms and wrists and arms and fingers to simply go completely limp, limp like moist noodles, zero stress. No want in any respect to do something together with your arms or arms or fingers. And see how good that feels, you would possibly even really feel somewhat further blood move, or some tingling in your arms due to the relief. And so now simply discover that the arms really feel good and the shoulders and neck and throat really feel good and the face feels good, or at the very least somewhat extra relaxed, somewhat extra open. And simply tune into that as a form of elementary expression of the relaxed ease and openness of your already current spacious consciousness which is sort of a huge open ocean. Simply tune into that. And drop now extra deeply into letting go, noticing the rising and falling of that breath wave with none effort, and the way good it feels to simply launch and open. Conscious, very clear, very shiny, and really relaxed.

When you can simply launch any stress in your diaphragm, in your stomach, let that chill out and be comfortable. Your decrease again area to round your kidneys simply opens up, takes half within the respiratory, lets go somewhat bit. After which discover, within the pelvic area, any stress there stress-free and opening, and your hips–your hip joints–releasing. Possibly your legs fall, simply naturally fall open, simply barely extra and your legs themselves turn into limp like moist rags, no stress of any variety.

And also you discover how this type of relaxed, tension-free openness brings you to a spot of sitting nonetheless with none stress in any respect. That is the sitting nonetheless of letting go and releasing.

And see how, as your physique turns into extra spacious feeling and open and releases and lets go, the core of your thoughts can simply form of chill out and virtually soften, perhaps simply soften into the ocean. In order that the core of the thoughts itself is spacious and comfortable grabbing onto nothing, holding on to nothing, releasing and opening, and letting be.

And let’s simply sit with that collectively, conscious, shiny and clear, an enormous ocean of consciousness noticing the wave of the breath rising and falling with none effort. When you discover the thoughts grabbing onto one thing, simply chill out enable it to fall again open with none effort. And no matter it was grabbing onto simply toddles off. Every time the thoughts grabs on, simply chill out, let that open, and let no matter it grabbed onto simply go on its merry manner. 

The thoughts right here is sort of a huge spacious open ocean, grabbing onto, hanging onto nothing in any respect, merely noticing the rising and falling of the breath with none stress or consideration. Good, excellent, now let go of even noticing that breath wave and simply enable consciousness itself to relaxation in itself, noticing the great openness and ease of consciousness. It’s already there, there’s nothing to do, it’s already current but additionally it’s great stability. If, for no matter purpose, that’s too difficult, simply hold noticing the breath wave. In any other case, we are able to use consciousness itself as its personal meditation object, merely resting in consciousness of itself with none effort, it’s already conscious, nothing to do.

Now, if I used to be a conventional instructor, I’d yell actually loud proper now however as a substitute, I’m simply going to ring this bell. We’re going to proceed meditating however I’m simply going to ring the bell as soon as simply to form of brighten issues up in right here a bit. So bell’s coming. Let’s take heed to that bell. 

Good. Now we’re going to do one thing barely extra lively. I need you to easily discover no matter feelings are arising, if any are arising, and see that these feelings which can be arising are empty. That means: they’re there, you possibly can really feel the emotion however it’s additionally form of not there, it’s like a mirrored image in a mirror, or like a rainbow or a cloud. There’s a sense tone of emotion that’s there and on the identical time, it’s acquired a sure form of nebulosity, which we historically name vacancy. And if there are not any feelings there, then discover that feeling of emotional peace or relaxation, and see the vacancy of that as properly. So every time emotion arises of any kind, irrespective of how small, we’re simply noticing its vacancy, very simply, very naturally. It’s not one thing you possibly can seize and dangle on to. It’s not one thing you possibly can put in a field. It’s not one thing you possibly can label and place in a show case, it’s constantly transferring, altering, and in a manner, virtually like a mirrored image of an emotion–there and never there. Regardless that you recognize you’re feeling issues, you possibly can by no means actually outline it or pinpoint it or choose a remaining description. It’s constantly transferring and altering and nebulous. Discover that property of any feelings or moods or emotions which can be arising. In our conceptual thoughts we need to make them into distinct issues but when we’re permitting consciousness to contact it freely and overtly and immediately we discover it isn’t a factor.

Good. Now persevering with to try this, discover the identical factor about any pondering that’s occurring, any form of pondering. Ideas are arising, however we are able to’t inform the place they’re coming from, they’re staying for a short time, however constantly altering after which they vanish and we don’t know the place they went. So, identical to with the sentiments, with the feelings, it’s very onerous to say {that a} thought is a factor or one thing we are able to seize onto. And particularly should you’re utilizing thought constructs to attempt to information your meditation, or do it proper, or decide your self about it, all of that’s simply the identical factor; simply the arising and passing of a way of motion within the thoughts however nothing you possibly can dangle on to. You might attempt to dangle on to it, you could attempt to relaxation in it however it by no means rests, it’s not dependable like that, it’s empty. Ideas are like shining projections on nothing, simply there, but additionally form of not there.

Discover that now. It’s virtually like on this huge open ocean of shiny clear consciousness that could be very awake there are simply ripples of thought and ripples of feeling, nonetheless simply extra ocean, not someway totally different, nothing to hold onto. Now let’s do the identical factor with any concrete seeming physique sensations, all that discomfort in your legs, or some feeling in your again, or no matter is happening merely arising in consciousness like ripples within the water, not someway totally different than the water, not someway in a position to injure the water or hurt the water, there however not there. Ideas, feelings, physique sensations all merely like desires, like clouds, like reflections within the water, there but additionally not there. Simply let go, don’t dangle on, there’s nothing to hold on to. If it’s tightening, simply chill out. Discover that the huge house of consciousness, the ocean of consciousness is undisturbed, it’s completely comfortable, open and restful no matter what’s arising. Feelings are empty, ideas are empty, physique sensations are empty. 

Now discover that even that sense of being you has that very same high quality, it’s like a mirrored image in a mirror, there however not there. That entire story of you; likes and dislikes, your historical past, the what you’re like, and the place you’re coming from all of that’s merely a mirrored image within the mirror of consciousness. It’s positively there, it’s simply additionally form of not there. It’s like a dream, desires are there however whenever you get up the place are they? Discover that that entire sense of self is sort of a dream. Don’t be the sense of self. Be what notices it. Discover that even the concept you’re doing a meditation, am I doing it proper? am I doing it fallacious? how am I doing this? its going properly, this isn’t going properly, that’s all simply empty ideas, just a few passing thought and feeling, like ripples within the ocean of consciousness, completely empty, completely to not be held onto.

And after we lastly really discover our personal already current, completely easeful, open awakeness it’s at all times been there since beginningless time, we discover that that’s simply positive, that’s at peace. Nevertheless it’s additionally playful and spontaneous and really alive, not caught up in a narrative, contemporary and current and pure. It’s by no means not been there, it’s by no means not been the bottom of your personal being, nothing to repair, nothing to vary, broad open, completely current.

When consciousness acknowledges itself, acknowledges what it’s at all times been it feels a form of pleasure. It’s simply the enjoyment of openness, the enjoyment of no constriction, and in addition the enjoyment of connection. There’s no lack of connection and togetherness. Simply discover that kindness and pleasure and connection radiating out in all instructions, bringing aid in all instructions to everybody in every single place. Kindness, peace, and ease to all beings in every single place.

Good. Go forward and let go of the follow. Be happy to maneuver and stretch. 

Dharma Discuss 

You may additionally discover that the spaciousness, the openness, the wakefulness, the notice doesn’t go away, didn’t go anyplace. It’s nonetheless there as a result of we’re not producing it, or someway by getting in simply the fitting spot of meditation making it occur, or one thing like that. It’s at all times there. We’re simply getting nonetheless sufficient to note that. If you tune into that time and again, as a result of it’s at all times there to tune into, finally, as a substitute of the concept of you tuning into it, you form of understand that you just’re simply returning to the place you’re already at, or form of recognizing what’s already there. The extra that occurs the extra it’s form of a humorous factor.

I feel I used to be mentioning this verse from Rumi Jalaluddin the opposite day. It’s fairly well-known and I gained’t quote the poem appropriately however you recognize the poem is describing the anguish and angst and energy of knocking on the door and knocking on the door making an attempt to get inside after which realizing, oh, I’m knocking from the within, already there. All of that was simply form of like a mistake or a humorous sport, I’m already right here there was nothing to do and that’s the sensation. That’s the sensation after we acknowledge our personal awakeness. It’s such as you’ve been making an attempt to do the meditation proper, and also you’ve been making an attempt to get concentrated, and also you’ve been, you recognize, you’re warring with distraction, otherwise you’re warring together with your kleshas, otherwise you’re warring with you are feeling too drained otherwise you really feel too–what’s the correct time period I’m in search of right here? the phrase that’s arising is feisty that’s not the precise phrase I’m in search of. Flighty, somewhat flighty, you recognize, simply form of an excessive amount of velocity in your head so that you’re making an attempt to vary that, otherwise you’re simply consistently preventing with the system to love get it proper. Acquired to get it proper.

And that’s the identical factor, I’m knocking and knocking and knocking, and then you definately understand you’re knocking from the within. There was nothing to get proper there as a result of it’s the notice that’s already there, that’s already secure, that’s already clear, that’s already conscious, that’s already fully free and joyous. There’s nothing to vary about it. And impulsively, you possibly can simply chill out, it’s okay. The attention is already awake. After which, you tighten up and neglect that once more, however simply chill out and acknowledge once more, after which chill out and acknowledge once more. When you acknowledge that even somewhat bit, and then you definately get form of assured, oh yeah, I’m recognizing it.

You’ll be able to’t ever neglect what that’s as a result of it’s simply–it’s such an uncommon factor. Have you ever ever learn in A Stranger in a Unusual Land they discuss how Michael Valentine Smith pushes individuals 90 levels to every part. It simply disappears them on this form of magic manner within the e book, said as a form of geometry. Like there’s a spot 90 levels from every part and that’s form of what it appears like the notice permeates every part however in one other humorous manner it’s 90 levels from every part that we’ve been taught to concentrate to, like emotion, and naturally, emotion is extraordinarily essential, useful lovely, helpful, deep, wealthy, generally disturbing, upsetting, life-wrecking, generally a very powerful factor and most therapeutic factor.

And so, there’s no sense during which I’m saying that’s not essential or not there. But in addition it’s totally different than we predict it’s as a result of it’s a mirrored image or arising in consciousness. When you didn’t understand it was there, that’s totally different. Identical factor with ideas and for many of us both our ideas or our feelings are going to be form of central to gluing our sense of self collectively, often each. However a few of us are extra like form of psychological assemble individuals, a few of us are extra, you recognize, deep emoters, however everybody’s acquired each of these happening. However within the case of ideas, it’s very easy to simply glom onto these and seize onto them and never–I don’t simply imply phrases, it’s not simply phrases, like we have a tendency to think about ideas as just like the sentences in our heads, however it’s additionally simply the general buildings, the ideas, the frames that we’re setting issues in, and the point of view. I don’t imply visible

viewpoint, I imply form of our sense of the place we’re in comparison with them. All that’s coming beneath the phrase thought or lets say thought assemble, or ideas and all in the identical manner because the feelings, that’s there. We will construct an airplane utilizing that and it’ll fly and you recognize the stuff is beneficial however it’s additionally totally different than what we predict it’s. It’s reflecting, it’s an arising in consciousness, like a ripple in an ocean and it’s not separate from the ocean. It’s not one thing to seize onto. 

Identical to feelings, you possibly can’t dangle your hat on it, you possibly can’t relaxation on it, you possibly can’t try and be that. And that’s all we do is try and be these issues. And after we try and be these issues,  we discover again and again, which you can’t really try this and that’s irritating. So we attempt to constantly wrestle to make these someway secure, someway a spot to relaxation, someway one thing to be. And so they by no means might be that. And there wasn’t a millisecond in your whole life the place you’ve been that. That’s like believing you’re the avatar in your online game. It’s there, you possibly can see it, however that’s not one thing you might be. However what’s noticing that? How do you even understand it’s there?

Once more, the notice is central. It’s how you recognize there’s a thought assemble there in any respect, or what the thought assemble is. And so, the sport right here is to to not do it proper, or to not be the proper thought assemble, or to not have the proper emotion, or to someway stabilize these, or someway make these all come into focus excellent, however slightly to simply cease grabbing on to any of that lengthy sufficient to simply discover the factor that’s at all times there.

The noticing itself. The noticing itself. And that’s what I imply, it’s form of 90 levels to every part as a result of we’ve by no means been skilled to try this. It’s actually really fairly simple however as a result of we’ve by no means been skilled to do it, it feels just like the weirdest factor on this planet. And the usual system, the usual form of like–should you get into form of the traditions and the scriptures and stuff what they are going to say is that it’s–I’ll neglect the total checklist–however that it’s like really easy you simply can’t imagine you’re doing it proper. And it’s so apparent which you can’t imagine that that’s what persons are making an attempt to get you to see, and it’s so good you possibly can’t imagine that that’s actually it. There’s yet another, I can’t bear in mind what it’s proper now, however it’s like actually that simple, and actually that apparent, and actually that good. When you form of get the dangle of what we’re making an attempt to get you to note, which is the noticing. 

In a bunch of my lessons, we’ve been going via this lovely translation of a poem a Sixteenth-century Tibetan poet and grasp, Jigmé Lingpa. The e book is translated by Ken McCleod, it’s referred to as A Trackless Path. However in there, he says one thing actually fascinating, which is: as a substitute of glomming onto the arising, be what is aware of the arising, be what notices it. And he has a very fascinating metaphor for that, he says that’s like being an oak peg within the onerous floor. It’s a really odd metaphor when you consider it. All these traditions discuss house and openness and ease and there’s nothing to hold onto however he’s saying that sense of coming from consciousness itself, openness, not a thought assemble, not any form of assemble, however simply consciousness, even consciousness, not as a assemble not as a factor, that has this property of being like an oak peg within the onerous floor.

And although it too is empty, it does have this fascinating sense of being tremendous secure and really unruffled, although plenty of issues are altering. It has this sense it’s at all times been there, it’s by no means been totally different. And so forth now we’re not deifying that or refining that into the one everlasting factor, it’s nonetheless empty as I’m saying however nonetheless it has this property of–in comparison with

the constructs–of being like an oak peg within the onerous floor. It’s very fascinating after we study to meditate by, let’s say, specializing in the breath, which is an exquisite factor to do, I imply please try this, it’s a terrific meditation. We’re form of borrowing the steadiness of the breath to stabilize our thoughts, proper? Or let’s say, you’re meditating on a cushion in entrance of you, we’re form of borrowing the steadiness of that visible presentation to nonetheless our thoughts. However finally, as you try this form of meditation increasingly and extra you understand the factor itself is just not secure in any respect, it was simply comparatively secure.

However the extra you discover it the extra–relying on the way you’re doing the meditation–you would possibly see it flip right into a form of like buzzy tremendous vibratory static or simply immediately see its vacancy, which is like only a reflection. And so the factor that you’re utilizing to stabilize the thoughts, finally, you see is totally unstable and what’s really secure is what’s like Thoughts with a capital M. The attention itself is tremendously secure and the objects of consciousness will not be. And so, we are able to enable what’s already there nothing particular, simply the truth that you’re awake, proper, now to be its personal stability.

It’s very fascinating, it’s very highly effective, it’s form of releasing, or I may say radically releasing.

Particularly the extra you discover that that’s at all times accessible, at all times accessible and that’s whenever you’re like, oh I’ve been knocking and knocking to get inside to the great place however I’m knocking from inside, the great place I completely acquired it like I’m already there. It’s already there, I didn’t must make it, I didn’t have to love crawl my manner there. It’s already there. So good, that’s my raving for this night. Any questions or feedback and even stories from you all?

Questioner 1: What’s the perform of this not transferring within the meditation?

Michael:  Whole leisure. 

Questioner 1: What in regards to the ache that’s increase?

Michael: Yeah, so if ache is increase then primary be happy subsequent time to take a seat within the wiggle room and never expertise that ache, that’s nice. However as you get increasingly used to sitting like this, you’ll discover that the ache doesn’t come up as a result of your physique simply will get used to sitting nonetheless, or if it does, that turns into one other object to note the vacancy of and lets you join extra deeply with the notice that’s noticing. It’s really actually, actually useful to take a seat nonetheless however you don’t need to do it earlier than you’re prepared as a result of then it’s form of simply agony, which is why we kindly present the opposite house. Finally although, you’ll discover that whenever you chill out sufficient your physique simply–that’s what I used to be saying we don’t keep nonetheless rigidly, we’re not holding ourselves nonetheless right here, you’re stress-free to the purpose the place you possibly can’t transfer as a result of should you have been to attempt to transfer you’d must tense again up. And When you get used to doing that and also you sit such as you’re sitting in a manner that you just’re used to sitting, your physique will discover this spot the place it might probably sit, the place it simply feels good the entire time.

So it simply takes somewhat getting used to, however when you’re used to it, it’s like there’s form of a BING! You simply need to simply be so relaxed and open that you just simply, form of, can’t transfer. So it’s actually finally very, very good. 

Once I was first studying to take a seat this manner it was like jail and oh I simply gotta make it via it, and that may be helpful. Truly, plenty of traditions work with that however it’s okay to not push it additional than you possibly can push it proper now. However finally, you’ll discover–it would take months or years or no matter–however finally, you simply sit there and it simply feels good to simply actually chill out. As a result of on a regular basis you’re prepared to maneuver–that is the humorous factor–readiness to maneuver is like 15-20 p.c stress within the muscle tissue. That’s what readiness is. And so should you let go of that, actually let go of it, you compromise right into a form of stillness that could be very, very nice after which your thoughts will begin to chill out. So the physique and thoughts are one factor, proper? In order that great leisure type stillness within the bodily physique begins to induce relaxed open stillness within the thoughts, whereas if we’re preserving the physique actually tense and that’s like we’re making an attempt to maintain the thoughts tense. Typically we attempt to get thought-free by preserving the thoughts tense. That doesn’t assist. It completely doesn’t work. Or you recognize, if we’re simply consistently fidgeting and scratching and altering our hair and zipping and unzipping our garments, or no matter, our thoughts simply will do the identical factor. So finally, we simply study that basically, you recognize, that is even the key of jhana. The key of jhana is just not someway excessive focus, it’s really studying tips on how to chill out, actually chill out. As a result of after we actually chill out the physique, the thoughts actually relaxes, and as a substitute of being some form of tight management that’s the true actual focus, the thoughts is simply completely nonetheless. And it comes from opening, releasing, letting go, releasing stress, proper? In order that’s why we’re sitting nonetheless, okay? 

Yeah however, you recognize, one factor I’ll say is typically it feels together with your legs like in the event that they go to sleep they’re gonna–you’re gonna be performed meditating and your proper leg from the knee down will simply snap off or one thing and that’s not gonna occur. They only get somewhat numb generally as a result of the nerve is simply barely pressed just a bit bit and so long as you stand up gradual they’ll be fully positive. Nice query although, thanks. What else?

Questioner 2: Is there some extent past which we are able to’t go? Is there some extent that’s really invisible after we attempt to focus the notice? In different phrases, I used to be stunned how a lot I may really feel that occuring however mentally I’m pondering I want to have the ability to choose the factor up and have a look at it which implies you’re separate from it.

Michael: Yeah, and in order that’s coming from idea, proper? That’s coming from the concept: there’s me over right here consciousness over there and so naturally such as you’re saying, you get that feeling of–I’ve acquired to have the ability to choose it up and have a look at it or maintain it or concentrate on it. However you possibly can let go of each little bit of that and since consciousness is conscious it doesn’t require any focus. You don’t have to take a look at it with tight consideration in any manner, it’s already conscious of itself. It’s not a factor that you just’re placing into focus, it’s already there. In any other case, you’d be useless or unconscious or one thing. Is there an expertise taking place proper now? 

Questioner 2: There’s a consciousness…

Michael: No, reply the query. Is there an expertise taking place?

Questioner 2: Yeah

Michael: That’s it. You simply did it, you don’t must tighten it in any respect to take a look at it in some particular manner. That’s what I imply. It’s really easy which you can’t imagine it. It’s simply that nakedness of the truth that there’s expertise. So something you’re doing to attempt to get an angle on it or flip round to take a look at, all of that’s simply nonsense. And I did it for years, so I completely relate to why you’re doing it however it’ll be fairly literal, throw it out, simply come again to it’s already conscious of itself. It’s that simple.

Okay. does that make sense to you? Are you able to do it proper now? Yeah? No? 

Questioner 2: Sure.

Michael: Okay, proper. It’s proper there, no focus mandatory. So isn’t it fascinating, we form of make what I’d name like a cartesian theater in our head, like okay there’s a me over right here and I gotta put it up that factor over there. All of that’s simply including stuff in that doesn’t should be there.

So simply each time you discover your self doing that, simply drop it, it’s only a waste of time. 

Okay, superior, nice query. Other people?

Questioner 3: You mentioned one thing somewhat bit earlier that the place you have been form of speaking about thought and movement and my query is how do you are feeling as if thought and movement aren’t totally different from one another and the way the perform of them is totally different?

Michael: It’s an advanced query as a result of it’s like on many alternative layers, proper? And so within the context of this dialogue, I’ll simply reply briefly though there’s extra to it. I’d say in probably the most form of childlike common manner we discover that ideas are both sounds or footage, proper? They’re going to be discuss discuss discuss or footage or even when they’re deep ideas they’re going to have that form of construction, whereas feelings are going to be a physique sensation principally, we would have concepts in regards to the emotion however that comes again to ideas. The feelings themselves really feel like a form of motion within the physique. So to place it in form of an experiential however perhaps childlike manner; ideas are going to be sounds and footage, and feelings are going to be emotions in your physique, okay? So what’s fascinating is as we go deeper and deeper with these all of them begin seeming like a form of motion and finally they form of come collectively into one factor, proper, and it’s simply stuff transferring. After which finally you acknowledge it’s simply consciousness transferring, it’s not even a factor, it’s like an empty phantom in consciousness. 

And but once more, after we say empty it appears like I imply nothing however I don’t imply nothing, there’s an expertise there. However as we go deeper and deeper into what we’d name the thoughts sense, proper, it appears to simply be increasingly motion, no matter which means. After which the motion–like I used to be saying, like ripples on the ocean of consciousness–are simply manufactured from extra consciousness. You understand that the ideas and emotions and physique sensations and even the world round you, it’s not manufactured from something however consciousness. Regardless that it’s not manufactured from it however it’s not totally different than it did anyway so however to get into the perform and all that, that’s an entire different…

I’ll say I don’t know. Does that reply your query in any respect?

Questioner 3: Yeah.

Michael: Okay. Good. Sure? 

Questioner 4: So that you’re speaking about consciousness as a part of the self and to me…

Michael: I by no means mentioned that.

Questioner 4: Okay, are you speaking about consciousness? However what in regards to the will? Is the need assumed beneath consciousness or is it a separate factor? Or is it…

Michael: If you say the need what do you imply?

Questioner 4: I don’t merely have the sense that I’m conscious, I even have the sense that I can do issues. I can do no matter I need.

Michael: The place does that come from? How have you learnt what you need?

Questioner 4: I select it.

Michael: How have you learnt what to decide on? Like so that you select to, I don’t know, go to the lavatory?

Questioner 4: It’s a combination between figuring out and selecting, form of.

Michael: All I’d say is look actually intently on the thought of will and inform me the place it comes from and should you determined it. Simply in your personal expertise look actually intently. As a result of I can sit right here and say I feel it’s this or that however I don’t know the reality of the universe, I simply invite you to see if that factor of like properly… 

Questioner 4: I simply do it as a result of I need to.

Michael: Okay, properly look into the wanting actually how do you even know you need that? The place does that come from? It’s an fascinating factor to look deeply at. 

Questioner 4: The wanting is just not the essential factor, I didn’t will something even one thing I don’t need to I can watch nothing and I’ve 5 choices in entrance of me I simply will this one.

Michael: Okay, discover that second of prepared then. The place does that come from? Look actually intently. When does it–is there a second earlier than the prepared? What’s there earlier than the prepared? And what’s modified as soon as, proper in that second, when that sense of prepared it seems? And the place did it come from? Test it out. I assure that will probably be fascinating.

Questioner 4: Okay

Michael: It’s extra essential than my concepts about this or that. Simply look into your personal expertise.

Okay, superior. Time smart I ought to go right here. I really would like to hold speaking and actually take pleasure in being privileged to hang around with you guys and listen to your questions and stuff. 

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