Thoughts, Thinking and Knowing
Summary
TLDRThe dialogue explores the nature of thoughts and consciousness through a three-stage analogy. Initially, thoughts are observed as separate from the self, like clouds in the sky. The second stage involves realizing that one is the sky, with thoughts as mere clouds within it. The third stage is the profound understanding that there is no separation; thoughts are the sky, and all is consciousness. The conversation guides the listener to experientially investigate thoughts, finding only 'knowing' without an 'it,' leading to the realization of an indivisible whole made of consciousness. This understanding transforms one's perception of reality, shifting from a philosophical concept to a lived experience.
Takeaways
- 🧘 Observing thoughts is the first stage of meditation, where thoughts are seen as separate from oneself, like clouds in the sky.
- 🌌 The second stage is realizing that one is the sky, and thoughts are within oneself, not separate entities.
- 💭 The third stage is understanding that there is no difference between the cloud (thought) and the sky (consciousness), they are one and the same.
- 🤔 The nature of thoughts is explored by 'touching' them, which reveals that they are made of the same substance as consciousness.
- 🎥 An analogy is made to watching a movie, where the screen is the reality of the movie, and similarly, the reality of thoughts is consciousness.
- 🔍 Investigating thoughts experientially leads to the realization that there is no 'it' in thoughts, only the knowing of them.
- 🌟 The concept that there are no such things as separate thoughts is introduced, suggesting that everything is just consciousness.
- 🌱 The practice of 'touching' thoughts is suggested as a way to understand their true nature, which is consciousness.
- 🌐 Once the nature of thoughts is understood, it becomes clear that all experiences—thoughts, feelings, sensations—are manifestations of the same consciousness.
- 🌟 The shift from a philosophical understanding to a lived experience of consciousness is emphasized as a transformative process.
- 🔄 The world, which once seemed to confirm a different view, now supports the new understanding of consciousness as the fundamental reality.
Q & A
What are the three stages of observing thoughts as described in the transcript?
-The first stage is observing thoughts as separate from oneself, like a cloud in the sky. The second stage is realizing that one is the sky and the thoughts are within oneself. The third stage is understanding that there is no difference between the cloud and the sky, and that the cloud is the sky.
How does the analogy of the cloud and the sky help in understanding the nature of thoughts?
-The analogy helps to illustrate that thoughts are not separate entities but are part of the consciousness, just as clouds are part of the sky. When one realizes this, it becomes clear that thoughts are not 'things' but are manifestations of consciousness.
What does it mean to 'touch' a thought as suggested in the transcript?
-To 'touch' a thought means to examine it closely, to experience it directly, and to realize that the thought itself is made of the same substance as the consciousness that is experiencing it.
What is the substance that thoughts are made of according to the discussion?
-The substance that thoughts are made of is 'knowing' or 'awareness'. When one investigates a thought, they find that it is not a separate 'it' but is the knowing of the thought.
Why is it important to understand that there is no 'it' in a thought?
-Understanding that there is no 'it' in a thought helps to dissolve the illusion of thoughts as separate entities. It leads to the realization that thoughts are just appearances of consciousness, similar to how a landscape is an appearance of a screen.
What is the significance of the statement 'there are no such things as thoughts'?
-The statement 'there are no such things as thoughts' emphasizes that thoughts are not solid, independent entities but are expressions of consciousness. It challenges the conventional view of thoughts as 'things' and invites a deeper understanding of their true nature.
How does the process of 'touching' thoughts relate to the practice of meditation?
-In meditation, 'touching' thoughts is a practice of mindfulness where one observes thoughts without judgment, allowing them to arise and pass without attachment. This practice can lead to a deeper understanding of the nature of thoughts and consciousness.
What is the role of experience in verifying philosophical ideas about thoughts and consciousness?
-Experience plays a crucial role in verifying philosophical ideas by allowing individuals to directly encounter the nature of thoughts and consciousness. Through personal experience, one can confirm or refute theoretical concepts and integrate them into their lived reality.
Why is it suggested to let the recognition of consciousness as the only reality 'sink in'?
-Allowing the recognition of consciousness as the only reality to 'sink in' is important for internalizing this understanding deeply. This process helps in transforming it from a philosophical concept to a lived experience that shapes one's perception and interaction with the world.
How does the world change as one's understanding of thoughts and consciousness evolves?
-As one's understanding of thoughts and consciousness evolves, the world that once seemed to confirm a different view begins to reflect the new understanding. This shift in perception allows for a more profound and unified experience of reality.
What is the final goal of the process described in the transcript?
-The final goal is to live in a state where the understanding of consciousness as the fundamental reality is fully integrated into one's being. This integration leads to a transformation in how one experiences thoughts, feelings, and perceptions, aligning with the recognition of an indivisible whole made of consciousness.
Outlines
🧘 Understanding the Nature of Thoughts
The speaker discusses the three stages of observing thoughts as previously explained. The first stage is recognizing thoughts as separate entities, akin to observing clouds in the sky. The second stage is experiencing thoughts as part of one's own being, likening oneself to the sky and thoughts to clouds within it. The third stage is the realization that there is no distinction between the cloud and the sky, suggesting that thoughts are not separate from the self but are the self itself. The speaker seeks to understand this experientially rather than just intellectually. The dialogue delves into the nature of thoughts, suggesting that when one 'touches' a thought, they only find 'knowing,' implying that thoughts are not separate entities but manifestations of consciousness itself.
🌟 The Illusion of Separateness and the Reality of Consciousness
The conversation continues with the exploration of the idea that there are no separate 'things,' only consciousness. The speaker suggests that once one has touched and understood the nature of a few thoughts, one can apply this understanding to all thoughts, sensations, and perceptions. The process involves not just intellectual understanding but also experiential verification, leading to a profound shift in one's lived experience. The world, which once seemed to confirm a different viewpoint, now reflects the new understanding that everything is part of one infinite, indivisible reality. The speaker emphasizes the importance of living out the implications of this realization, which leads to a resolution of mental objections and a deepening of the experience of consciousness as the fundamental nature of reality.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Observing thoughts
💡Subject-object relationship
💡Meditation
💡Experiential understanding
💡Consciousness
💡Thoughts as appearances
💡Investigating experience
💡Lived experience
💡Philosophical possibility
💡Infinite, indivisible whole
💡Spirit or God
Highlights
Exploration of the three stages of observing thoughts: noticing them as separate, experiencing them as part of oneself, and realizing there is no difference between the two.
The realization that observing thoughts is akin to watching clouds in the sky, coming and going without attachment.
The subtle shift from being an observer to feeling as though one is the sky itself, with thoughts as clouds within.
The analogy of the cloud and the sky to illustrate the non-duality of thoughts and consciousness.
The intellectual understanding that thoughts are made of the same substance as consciousness.
The experiential approach to understanding thoughts by 'touching' them and discovering their true nature.
The discovery that the substance of thoughts is merely 'knowing', without an 'it' to know.
The concept that there is no 'it' in thoughts, only the awareness or knowing of them.
The idea that thoughts are not separate entities but appearances of consciousness, like a landscape on a screen.
The philosophical understanding that there are no such things as separate thoughts, only consciousness.
The practice of 'touching' thoughts to reveal their true substance, which is consciousness.
The assurance that once the nature of thoughts is understood, there is no need to repeat the experiment with every thought.
The process of letting the recognition of consciousness as the only reality sink in deeply.
The transformation of philosophical understanding into a lived experience through the verification of thoughts.
The world's confirmation of the new understanding of consciousness as the only reality.
The continuous verification of the non-dual nature of reality in all aspects of experience.
The resolution of mental objections through the experience of the true nature of thoughts.
The living reality that emerges as the philosophical possibility of consciousness becomes an experiential truth.
Transcripts
yesterday you answered a question about
thoughts and you explained three
stages first was observing thoughts in
that subject object relationship and I
feel for years that's what I've done
observe the thought some do a cloud in
the sky just see it come and go and then
yesterday in the meditation I noticed
something quite subtle in that I felt as
though I am the sky and the cloud is in
me and if I understand how you explained
it yesterday that's the second stage of
it being within my being yes you then
explained a third stage which is if I'm
using this analogy that the cloud is the
sky that there is no difference between
the cloud and the sky the cloud can't be
anything other than the sky yes and so I
guess I can understand that
intellectually and I feel like I could
use some help
in understanding that
experientially and that's what I was
asking for your help with okay
so you are experiencing thoughts
now yeah yes so if if you're
experiencing a thought you you must be
experiencing whatever the thought is
made
of yes so what are your thoughts made of
um I I guess I don't
know the there could be a thought that's
an image or a thought that is words but
okay but let's let's take a thought that
appears in the form of words what should
we have for dinner tonight any thought
if you're experiencing that thought you
you must be experiencing
it's reality what it's made of you if
you're watching a movie you must be
seeing the screen you can't watch the
movie and not see the screen you may not
realize you're seeing the screen but
nevertheless you are seeing the screen
you are seeing the stuff relatively
speaking that the movie is made of now
if you're having a thought if you're
knowing a thought you must be
experiencing whatever it is that thought
is made of so all just as all you need
to do to find out what the movie is made
of is to go up to it touch it come close
to it you look at it from a distance it
looks like a landscape you come up close
to it and touch it you touch its reality
the screen so it's the same with a
thought you have to go up close to it
you have to touch it so to speak do do
that
now what do you find
touch your thoughts taste them what
what's there
I guess the only thing that is there is
U kind of an awareness of it it's a like
a a knowing of it I can't think of
anything else
okay so you think there there's the
knowing of it the knowing of the
thought so so you have this you go up to
the thought you you touch it and you say
all that's there is the knowing of it
but so you have the knowing you but what
is the
it when you say the knowing of
it where is the it apart from the
knowing I understand when you say I
touch the thought I find knowing but you
say you didn't say that you say I touch
the thought I find the knowing of it
what's the
it there is no it perfect that's it
there is no it it's just
knowing when you reach out your hand and
touch the cloud all you find is the
sky when you reach out your your
hand touch the stuff the thought is made
of you all you find is knowing not the
knowing of
it because you never find the it you
only find this the only substance you
find in the thought is knowing just as
the only substance you find in the
landscape is the
screen it's never the screen and the
landscape it's just the screen it's
never The Knowing of
thought it's just knowing assuming the
form of thought but without ever
becoming a thought always remaining
itself appearing as the thought just as
the screen always remains itself and
appears as the landscape but never
becomes the
landscape so there are no such such
things as
thoughts but I'm afraid it's worse than
that it's not just that there are no
such things as thoughts that there are
no things
period there is there's only
consciousness
so in let's
say sitting with whatever I'm going to
use the word thoughts but the thoughts
as they come up you said just try and
touch them is is kind of the
work I'm hesitant to use the word
practice but what what one does as
thoughts
appear is
to touch them the way you're describing
that would
be yes but once you've done that once or
twice with a couple of thoughts you can
be sure that all thoughts are made out
of the same stuff once you've
investigated the landscape in the movie
you don't have to do the same experiment
every time you watch a movie you can be
sure that all the subsequent movies are
appearances of the same screen yeah so
once you've done that once or twice with
your thoughts your Sensations your
perceptions your you you don't have to
keep doing
it you just have to let
that
this this this uh
recognition penetrate deeply into your
mind and your heart and your body so
that
this Consciousness only model really
sinks in until it begins to be your
lived and felt experience all there
is is one infinite
indivisible whole or reality made of
Consciousness or being or Spirit or love
God whatever you call
it just let that so you you hear it
philosophically makes sense
philosophically then you investigate it
in your experience you verify the
possibility that you heard of when you
were thinking philosophically you verify
it in your own
experience and then you you try to live
the implications of that verification
and as you do
so the world which once seemed
[Music]
to
confirm your your previous point of view
the very same world
now now confirms your new
understanding it just becomes more and
more this becomes more and more obvious
in all Realms of your experience this
new what what was once a philosophical
possibility you then explored within
your experience and you recognize it's
true of thoughts it's true of feelings
it's true of Sensations it's true of
perception
so you verify it um every time your mind
raises an objection you you meet that
objection with your experience and as a
result the objections of your mind begin
to die down and what was once a
possibility only now becomes this living
reality
thank you so much
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