Allowing Feelings to Come Close

Summary

In this insightful dialogue, the speaker explores the concept of vulnerability as a state of complete openness and sensitivity, rather than weakness. They discuss the importance of embracing existential feelings of lack and unmet needs without resistance, suggesting that awareness, like physical space, inherently lacks resistance. The speaker guides listeners to establish themselves as the space of awareness, allowing uncomfortable feelings to arise without fixation, thus neutralizing the unpleasantness born from resistance. The conversation also touches on the practice of comparing emotional sensations with neutral ones to achieve a state of equanimity.

Takeaways

• 🧘‍♂️ Vulnerability in this context refers to being utterly sensitive and open to experiences without resistance, rather than being easily hurt.
• 🔍 The speaker suggests that instead of trying to eliminate feelings of existential lack or unmet needs, one should allow these feelings to arise and be fully present with them.
• 🌟 It's important to establish oneself as the space of awareness, allowing feelings to come without focusing on or fixating them.
• 🏠 The concept of 'space' is used to illustrate the idea that awareness, like physical space, does not resist or judge experiences that occur within it.
• 🚫 The speaker advises against turning the process into a practice or an act of will, but rather to recognize the inherent non-resistance of awareness.
• 🔑 Recognizing that awareness cannot be hurt by feelings is key to neutralizing the resistance and the perceived unpleasantness of those feelings.
• 🔄 The process involves inviting feelings closer and ceasing to push them away, which can lead to a realization that the feeling is not inherently unpleasant.
• 🤔 The speaker suggests that the closer one brings a feeling to oneself, the more one finds that the acceptance once sought by avoiding the feeling is found at the heart of the feeling itself.
• 🔍 The technique of alternating attention between a neutral sensation and an emotional one is proposed to help neutralize the emotional charge of the latter.
• 🌱 The process may take time due to old habits of resistance, and the speaker encourages patience and persistence in sitting with feelings until resistance is no longer felt.

Q & A

What does the speaker mean by being 'vulnerable' in the context of awareness?

In this context, 'vulnerable' does not mean easily hurt. Instead, it refers to being utterly sensitive and completely open to all experiences without resistance, whether they are pleasant or painful.

How does the speaker suggest dealing with feelings of vulnerability?

The speaker suggests establishing oneself as the space of awareness and allowing feelings to come close without focusing on or resisting them. This involves not pushing the feelings away and recognizing that as awareness, one is inherently free of resistance.

Why does the speaker emphasize not turning the process into a practice?

The speaker emphasizes this because turning it into a practice implies an effort to make the mind accept something, which is not the goal. Instead, the focus should be on recognizing and feeling the inherent nature of awareness as free from resistance.

What is the significance of the speaker's instruction to not focus on the feelings?

The significance lies in maintaining the awareness as the space where feelings arise and dissipate without attachment or resistance. This helps in neutralizing the feelings and experiencing them without the discomfort that comes from resistance.

How does the speaker differentiate between the sensation in the throat and the soles of the feet?

The sensation in the throat is charged with emotion, while the sensation in the soles of the feet is neutral. The speaker uses this comparison to help individuals feel the raw sensation of the throat without the emotional charge, aiming to neutralize the emotion.

What is the purpose of inviting feelings close in the process described?

Inviting feelings close is a way to cease pushing them away and to experience them as part of the awareness without resistance. This leads to the realization that the feelings are not inherently unpleasant; it is the resistance that makes them so.

Why does the speaker suggest alternating between sensations of the throat and the soles of the feet?

Alternating between these sensations helps to equalize the emotional charge associated with the throat sensation with the neutral sensation of the feet, aiming to neutralize the emotional response to the throat sensation.

What does the speaker mean when they say that the 'space of awareness' does not know resistance?

The 'space of awareness' refers to the inherent nature of awareness that is open and receptive to all experiences without judgment or resistance. It is the state of being that allows experiences to arise and pass without clinging or aversion.

How does the speaker address the concern of the mind becoming active when being with vulnerability?

The speaker addresses this by suggesting that one should not focus on the feelings or the mind's activity but instead remain as the space of awareness, which is inherently free of resistance and does not engage in the mental loops of resistance.

What is the role of the imaginary self in the process of dealing with vulnerability as described by the speaker?

The imaginary self is the part that arises within awareness and reacts with resistance or aversion to certain feelings. The speaker advises recognizing this self as separate from the true nature of awareness and returning to the space of awareness to neutralize resistance.

How does the speaker define the difference between awareness and the imaginary self?

Awareness is described as the open, empty space where all sensations, feelings, and thoughts arise without resistance. The imaginary self is a construct that interprets these experiences and may react with resistance or aversion, which is not inherent to awareness itself.