The Two-Step Technique to Experience Unbound Consciousness

Summary

This video explores how to experience Unbound Consciousness through a two-step approach: disidentifying from thoughts and investigating the nature of those thoughts. The first step emphasizes mindfulness, recognizing thoughts as separate from the self without becoming attached to them. The second step involves a deeper inquiry into the essence of thoughts, moving closer to their true nature and realizing that thoughts and consciousness are not separate. The process is about experiencing the oneness of awareness and dissolving the boundaries between self, thoughts, and reality, ultimately leading to an immersive experience of pure consciousness.

Takeaways

• 😀 The experience of Unbound Consciousness is an immersive state where there's no separation between the experiencer and the experience itself.
• 😀 Disidentifying from thoughts is a key step to experiencing Unbound Consciousness, leading to complete immersion in consciousness without any observer or watcher.
• 😀 The first step involves recognizing thoughts as thoughts in real-time, without becoming identified with them or analyzing them.
• 😀 Mindfulness practice can help become aware of the presence and quality of thoughts, but it's essential to avoid grasping or analyzing them.
• 😀 It's important to notice the gaps between thoughts, where the mind is quiet, to recognize moments of non-thinking.
• 😀 Step two involves moving towards the thought itself rather than stepping back from it, to investigate its true nature and substance.
• 😀 One should approach thoughts like investigating a movie screen — move closer to the thought to understand it as a collection of symbols rather than a fixed narrative.
• 😀 The second step also encourages exploring the distance between the observer and the thought, questioning the quality of that separation.
• 😀 Moving toward thoughts should not be an imagined act but a direct, real investigation into their nature, without over-conceptualizing.
• 😀 The process of investigation is likened to moving toward light in a movie theater, where the experience becomes clear when the observer realizes there is no real separation between them and the thought.
• 😀 The final realization is that consciousness, like light in the movie analogy, is the essence that connects everything, and there’s no separate self — only pure consciousness.

Q & A

What is 'Unbound Consciousness' as described in the script?

Unbound Consciousness refers to a state of deep immersion where there is no separation between the experiencer and the experience itself. It's a state of pure consciousness without any distinction of a 'watcher' or 'thinker'.

What is the role of disidentification in experiencing Unbound Consciousness?

Disidentification from thoughts is key to experiencing Unbound Consciousness. By recognizing thoughts as mere thoughts and not identifying with them, one can enter a state of immersion where consciousness is experienced without the filter of thought.

How does the script describe the process of inquiry?

Inquiry is described as a precise investigation into the nature of thoughts and consciousness. It’s not simply about recognizing thoughts but actively questioning and examining the nature of those thoughts in real time, without re-identifying with them.

What is the first step to experiencing Unbound Consciousness?

The first step is to disidentify from thoughts by recognizing them as they arise. This involves mindfulness and becoming aware of thoughts in real time without identifying with them or being caught up in them.

What should you do when you notice a thought during the practice?

When you notice a thought, simply observe it without analyzing it. Avoid grasping or pushing thoughts away, and instead, remain relaxed and alert, focusing on what arises next. The goal is to be aware of the thought without becoming identified with it.

What does the script say about the experience of gaps in thought?

The script mentions that when practicing disidentification, there may be moments where no thoughts arise, which are often overlooked. These gaps are significant as they represent periods when there is no thought, allowing for a more direct experience of consciousness.

What is step two of the process described in the script?

Step two involves moving toward the thought rather than remaining distant from it. This means examining the thought more closely, questioning its substance, and exploring its nature. It’s about engaging with the thought directly without identifying with it.

What is the analogy used to explain the process of moving towards a thought?

The analogy used is that of sitting in a movie theater, where mindfulness is like realizing you're in a theater, and self-inquiry is like noticing the components of the movie as mere symbols. Moving closer to the screen represents the act of examining thoughts directly and understanding them as representations rather than actual experiences.

How does the script describe the relationship between thoughts and consciousness?

The script suggests that thoughts are like symbols or movements on a screen, and that consciousness itself is the light behind the screen. Moving towards the light—representing consciousness—reveals that there is no separate 'you' or object of consciousness, but only consciousness itself.

What is the danger in mixing the two steps together in the practice?

The danger is that if the two steps are mixed, it may lead to confusion or overthinking. It's important to separate the steps and master each one before moving to the next, to avoid conceptualizing or imagining the process rather than directly experiencing it.