Liberating Our Thoughts From the Tyranny of the Illusory Self

Summary

The transcript explores the nature of thoughts, suggesting they are not just physical but objective in the sense that they have qualities we can perceive. It emphasizes that thoughts are intimately connected to us, like images on a screen, but we are independent of them. The speaker discusses how our sense of self shapes our experience of the world, and how thoughts arising from a limited, finite self can be questioned. Over time, through practice, one can liberate thoughts from the illusion of a finite self, leading to greater awareness and freedom.

Takeaways

• 🧠 Thoughts are considered objects because they have objective qualities, just like physical objects.
• 💭 Feelings, such as loneliness, also have objective qualities that are knowable and perceivable.
• 🔗 The relationship between oneself and thoughts is similar to the relationship between a screen and an image: intimate but independent.
• 🌍 Our perception of the world is shaped by how we understand ourselves. If we view ourselves as finite, the world appears as finite objects.
• 👁️ Awareness is equally intimate with all experiences, be it thoughts, feelings, or perceptions.
• ❌ We cannot control thoughts that arise, but we can question them to understand whether they are based on an illusory finite self.
• 🔄 The process of reconditioning the mind is essential to align thoughts, feelings, and perceptions with true awareness.
• 🛑 When thoughts arise from the finite self, we must question their validity to prevent acting on them.
• ⏳ Over time, recognizing the illusory nature of finite thoughts becomes quicker, leading to more immediate dismissals of such thoughts.
• 🔍 The deeper root of the separate self often hides in our body as feelings, even after the mind has been freed from these beliefs.

Q & A

What is the speaker's definition of an 'object'?

The speaker defines an object as anything with an objective quality, not limited to physical objects. For example, a feeling like loneliness is considered an object because it has a particular quality that is knowable or observable.

How does the speaker compare thoughts to physical objects?

The speaker compares thoughts to physical objects by suggesting that both have objective qualities. Thoughts, like feelings, have characteristics that are distinguishable and can be observed or felt, similar to physical objects like the taste of tea.

What is the speaker's perspective on controlling thoughts?

The speaker believes that, much like the external world, thoughts cannot be controlled. Thoughts arise independently, and individuals do not have full control over them.

How does the speaker relate thoughts to a screen and image analogy?

The speaker compares the relationship between a person and their thoughts to the relationship between a screen and an image. The screen (person) is completely intimate with the image (thoughts) but remains independent from it.

What is meant by the phrase 'total intimacy and total freedom' in the context of thoughts?

The speaker suggests that an individual is both totally intimate with all experiences, including thoughts and perceptions, and at the same time independent from them. This duality represents a sense of being fully connected yet free from attachment to any specific experience.

How does the speaker suggest one should deal with thoughts of a 'separate self'?

The speaker advises questioning the validity of the self that the thought represents. Instead of following thoughts that arise from a finite or separate self, one should challenge the existence of that self and be relentless in doing so.

Why do old habits of the mind persist, according to the speaker?

The speaker explains that even after recognizing one's true nature, the mind and body, conditioned for decades by the illusion of a finite self, continue to produce thoughts and feelings based on old habits. These habits persist as a defense mechanism against the recognition of the true self.

How can one erode the habits of the mind associated with a finite self?

By repeatedly questioning the validity of thoughts that arise from the finite self and refusing to follow them, one can gradually erode the old habits of the mind. Over time, this process becomes quicker and more instinctive.

What is the significance of physical resistance accompanying thoughts?

The speaker acknowledges that along with certain thoughts, there can be physical sensations or resistance in the body. These sensations are tied to the deeper roots of the separate self, which often hide in the body as feelings.

Why is addressing the body important in overcoming the sense of separation?

The speaker emphasizes that the deeper root of the separate self is often hidden in the body as feelings. Even after the mind has recognized the true nature of the self, the body may still harbor sensations of separation, which must be exposed and dissolved over time.

Outlines

00:00

🧠 Thoughts as Objects and Their Intimacy with Awareness

The speaker explores the nature of thoughts, likening them to objects, not just physical but also emotional experiences like loneliness. Thoughts and perceptions are described as having objective qualities that are intimately connected to awareness. The relationship between thoughts and the self is compared to a screen and an image: intimately close but fundamentally independent. This intimate connection exists with all experiences, and at the same time, the self remains completely independent, embodying both intimacy and freedom. The speaker further emphasizes how our perception of the world reflects how we understand ourselves.

05:05

🌀 Reconditioning the Mind to Overcome the Illusion of the Finite Self

The speaker discusses the need to recondition both the mind and body to align with a deeper understanding of the self. Recognizing one's true nature is not enough to overcome the habits of the finite self, which fights to maintain its existence. As one begins to question thoughts that arise from the perspective of the finite self, a transformation occurs. This involves being firm in questioning the validity of the self behind each thought, ultimately leading to the liberation of thoughts from the illusory self and allowing thoughts to express one's true nature.

10:06

🌱 The Practice of Unraveling the Finite Self

The speaker explains the gradual process of recognizing and dismantling the finite self's influence on thoughts. At first, it may take time to realize the false self behind a thought, but with practice, the process becomes quicker. Over time, one develops an almost instantaneous ability to recognize and dispel thoughts that are rooted in the illusion of separateness. The speaker also highlights how the sense of a separate self is not only found in thoughts but is deeply rooted in the body as feelings, which need to be exposed and dissolved through exploration.

Keywords

💡Thoughts as Objects

In the script, thoughts are described as 'objects' with objective qualities, meaning they can be perceived and distinguished in the same way as physical objects or sensations. For example, the feeling of loneliness is noted as having a unique quality that can be observed, much like the taste of tea. This concept relates to the video’s theme of understanding thoughts as experiences that exist independently from the self, challenging the notion that we can fully control them.

💡Finite Self

The finite self refers to the idea of a limited, temporary identity that is tied to the body and mind. In the script, it is explained that when we believe ourselves to be finite beings, our experience of the world reflects that belief, leading to a perception of separateness from others and the environment. The finite self is contrasted with the true self, which is infinite and aware.

💡Awareness

Awareness in this context is the state of simply being conscious of all experience without attachment or judgment. The script emphasizes that awareness is not limited to thoughts or feelings but pervades all experiences equally. It is described as 'intimate with all experience' and yet 'independent of all experience,' highlighting the dual nature of awareness as both connected to and separate from thoughts and perceptions.

💡Separate Self

The separate self is an illusionary concept where a person feels distinct from the rest of the world and others. The script mentions that this idea leads to feelings of isolation and is responsible for many of the habits and neuroses we experience. The aim is to dissolve this perception and recognize the unity of awareness with all experiences, thus freeing the self from this illusion.

💡True Nature

The script refers to 'true nature' as the pure, unqualified experience of being aware, beyond the limitations of the finite self. It is the realization that our essence is not defined by thoughts, feelings, or physical attributes but by a boundless awareness. Recognizing one's true nature is central to the process of overcoming the false belief in the separate or finite self.

💡Reconditioning the Mind

Reconditioning the mind involves challenging and reshaping habitual thought patterns that arise from identifying with the finite self. The script explains that even after recognizing one's true nature, old thoughts rooted in the belief of separation often persist. This reconditioning process requires continuously questioning the validity of these thoughts and aligning them with the understanding of one's true self.

💡Experience

Experience is discussed as both internal (thoughts, feelings) and external (perceptions, sensory inputs), and the script suggests that all experiences are equally intimate with awareness. This concept relates to the idea that awareness permeates everything we perceive, and there is no distinction between how we experience thoughts and how we experience external sensations like sound.

💡Illusory Self

The illusory self is a constructed identity that stems from the belief in separateness and finiteness. It is described as an entity that fights to maintain its existence even after one recognizes their true nature. This illusion is persistent, deeply ingrained in both thoughts and bodily sensations, and must be confronted to attain freedom from the limitations it imposes.

💡Tyranny of the Finite Self

This phrase refers to the control that the illusory finite self exerts over thoughts, feelings, and perceptions. The script highlights that liberation from the finite self involves not getting rid of thoughts but rather freeing them from the influence of this illusory identity. This concept underscores the importance of aligning one’s mental processes with the true self to overcome the dominance of false beliefs.

💡Physical Resistance

Physical resistance refers to the bodily sensations that accompany thoughts rooted in the finite self. The script explains that even after mental recognition of the true self, the body may still hold on to feelings of separation, manifesting as physical tension or resistance. This resistance is part of the deeper root of the illusory self, which must be exposed and dissolved for complete alignment with one's true nature.

Highlights

Thoughts are considered objects, not just physical ones but also abstract experiences like feelings.

A feeling like loneliness has an objective quality, much like physical objects such as the taste of tea.

Your relationship to thoughts is similar to your relationship with the world; you can't fully control them.

Understanding your being shouldn't rely on thoughts but rather on the experience of being itself.

The relationship between awareness and thoughts is like that of a screen and an image—intimate yet independent.

All experiences—whether inside or outside—are equally intimate and independent from your core awareness.

If you identify yourself as a temporary, finite self, you'll experience the world in alignment with that belief.

Believing you are separate from the world leads to experiences of diversity and multiplicity of finite objects.

Knowing that you are pure awareness makes you equally present in all experiences, whether thoughts or external stimuli.

Reconditioning your mind is essential to overcome the habits and thoughts tied to the finite self.

The illusory finite self resists change, and thoughts and feelings will often come back with greater intensity.

You must question the validity of any thoughts that arise on behalf of the finite self to erode its influence.

As you practice questioning finite-based thoughts, you will shorten the time it takes to dissolve their hold.

The separate self is often more deeply rooted in the body through feelings than in beliefs.

Even after beliefs about the separate self dissolve, it remains present in physical feelings and sensations.

Transcripts

so would you say that that thoughts are

thoughts aren't material say Oh would you say  that thoughts are things as bodies and it's  

thoughts are what I call objects object anything  that has an objective quality is what I call an  

object so by objects I don't just mean physical  objects a feeling a feeling of loneliness has  

an objective quality to it it's not the taste  of tea it's the feeling of loneliness it has  

distinguishing features yes those distinguishing  features are objective we know them I feel lonely  

the feeling of loneliness has a particular  quality that is observable or feelable or  

knowable the taste of tea has other particular  qualities that are knowable or perceivable so yes  

thoughts are object in that sense are objects  so my relationship to thought it can be much  

the same to my relationship with the world yes  yeah in that I can't control what happens in the  

world and I really can't control what thoughts  come in I think that there's a tendency to kind  

of you know identify my quality of being by the  thoughts that are eyes no no identify the quality  

of being just by the quality of being the screen  doesn't derive its qualities from the image your  

relationship to thoughts and perceptions is the  same as the relationship between a screen and an  

image in other words the screen is intimately  one with the image it's it's closer than close  

to the image but at the same time it is completely  independent of it that is you you this experience  

of being aware are totally intimate with all your  experience every experience you have that is every  

so called inside feeling but also every so called  outside perception are this close to you totally  

intimate not even intimate because there are  not two things there to begin with there isn't  

a screen and an image yeah it's just you just  knowing so in that sense you are intimate with  

all experience equally intimate not more intimate  with this than you are with this equally intimate  

with all experience and at the same time you the  experience of simply being aware are absolutely  

independent of all experience so it's this mixture  of total intimacy and total freedom I think I have  

an easier time with you know you made a comment  earlier about the world is reflected as we are you  

know as we as as we believe ourselves in life to  be you know that's what we see and think exactly  

say that but it is that right what I mean that's  what you as we yes as we understand ourselves so  

we see the world and that yeah so that if we  think in other words I am a temporary finite  

self that shares the limits of the body if we  think I am temp a temporary finite object then  

our experience will appear in conformity with  that belief in other words your experience will  

be a multiplicity and diversity of finite objects  you will feel that you are separate from everyone  

and everything related to them through an act of  knowing feeling or perceiving I know such and such  

I love you I see the tree these are the three  channels knowing feeling and perceiving through  

which the inside self the subject the apparent  subject is connected to the outside object other  

or world but if you that's if you believe that you  are a temporary finite subject made out of mind  

living in the body but if you know that you are  simply this unqualified experience of being aware

then you find yourself equally pervading all  experience you cannot say I am closer to my  

thoughts than I am to the sound of that car  thoughts are made out of thinking the sound  

of the car is made out of hearing both appear  equally in me and when I try to touch the stuff  

that they are made of all I find is this empty  knowing that's true Sode no really really I  

understand I know I have that experience so but I  have thoughts that are in direct contradiction to  

that even in the midst of that experience so  you have to recondition your mind as well as  

your body that is part of what we do here it's  one thing to understand that and you obviously  

understand it but just understanding it is not  enough because your mind and your body have  

been labouring for decades under the serving for  decades the demands and the fears and the neuroses  

of an illusory finite self so just the recognition  of your true nature is not enough to put an end to  

those habits they come back with a vengeance very  often stronger than they were before because the  

separate self feels quite rightly that it's that  it threatened its existence is threatened by our  

new understanding it is threatened its days are  numbered and it's going to do everything it can  

to prevent itself disappearing so this a tidal  wave of thoughts and more importantly feelings  

are going to come back and assail you and try  to persuade you of the validity of the separate  

self so much of what we do here is not just  about the recognition of our true nature it  

is about the realignment of our thoughts feelings  activities relationships and perceptions with that  

understanding so when these thoughts keep coming  back you have to be you have to be firm with them  

when a thought appears on behalf of the separate  self before doing what the thought wants you to do  

the thoughts going to take you off down a journey  of activity or relationship or whatever it is

before doing what the thought tells you to  do question the self on whose behalf that  

thought is rising who are you representing ask  the thought on whose behalf do you come to me  

and if if it is a thought that is based on being  a temporary finite self then instead of following  

the thought question the validity of the self  on whose behalf that thought is arising and be  

relentless about that every thought that rises  on behalf of a finite self question it rather  

than doing what the thought wants you to do and  eventually you will erode this old habit of the  

mind rising on behalf of an illusory self and  that the mind more and more will begin to rise  

on behalf of the qualities of the true and only  self of pure awareness your thoughts you won't  

stop having thoughts but your thoughts will be  an expression of what you truly are not what you  

previously imagined yourself to be so it is not a  getting rid of thoughts it's a liberation of our  

thoughts and indeed our feelings and perceptions  from the tyranny of a non-existent finite self

so do you ever have thoughts that you just have  to say no to yes occasionally an old thought  

arises in me based on an old habit of believing  myself to be a finite self and I do exactly what  

I've just suggested to you what happens after  one has to begin with when a thought rises on  

behalf of a finite self it takes us maybe 20  minutes to walk ourselves to question the eye  

around whom that thought revolves and we may have  to take some time slowly walking ourselves back  

to find the true eye of simply aware being and  that may take some time we do it the first time  

it may take twenty minutes and then the second  time fifteen minutes and then the third time ten  

minutes and as we become more practiced at this we  we find shortcuts we don't have to go every single  

step plod plod plod because we've done it before  we can we can go quicker we find shortcuts and  

in the end it we find when that thought arises  on behalf of the finite self it doesn't really  

require time anymore to walk ourselves back it is  just like an instant recognition and it it falls

because there's often you know the great  physical resistance along with the thought  

or a physical you know there's a physical  thing along with the five yes yes what will  

we'll spend a lot of time this week exploring  just that because the the separate self the  

apparently temporary finite consciousness that  is the separate self is not just concealed in  

our thoughts as beliefs more importantly it is  concealed in our body as feelings and that in  

fact is the deeper root of the separate self  and in fact long after the separate self has  

been flushed out of our beliefs it remains  present hiding in our feelings and in this  

approach we spend a lot of time as you know  exploring this deeper root of the sense of  

separation first of all exposing the sense  of me in the body gradually encouraging it  

to come up out of its hiding place places  and then gradually allowing it to dissolve