Suffering Is Contained in a Single Thought

Summary

The transcript delves into the nature of fear and resistance, suggesting that true suffering arises not from fear itself but from the resistance to it. It encourages embracing fear without judgment or comparison, finding peace and happiness at its core. The speaker contrasts the Vedanta approach of detachment with the Tantric approach of deep engagement, advocating for a non-dualistic understanding where consciousness and experience are inseparable. The message is one of finding joy and peace by fully inhabiting the present moment, regardless of emotional intensity.

Takeaways

• 😌 Fear itself is not the problem; it's the resistance to fear that causes suffering.
• 🔍 Experiencing fear without comparison or reference to the past can reveal its true nature, which is not inherently uncomfortable.
• 🏖 Taking refuge in the 'now' can provide a sense of peace similar to being on holiday, free from the burdens of past and future thoughts.
• 💡 The resolution to fear is not to move away from it but to move closer, embracing the experience without resistance.
• 🧘‍♂️ There is no separate self experiencing fear; the experience is a part of the whole consciousness.
• 🌀 Mind is the movement of awareness, not an entity separate from it, much like a movie is a part of the screen.
• 🕉 Consciousness has two modes: at rest (Shiva) and in movement (Shakti), both integral aspects of the same reality.
• 💭 Psychological suffering arises from a single thought of resistance, rather than from the experience itself.
• 🌟 Deep within any emotion, including fear, lies the potential for happiness and peace, accessible by embracing the experience fully.
• 🤔 The Vedanta approach suggests identifying as the witnessing presence of awareness, separate from thoughts and feelings.
• 🔗 The Tantric approach encourages embracing and integrating the experience, dissolving the distinction between self and experience.

Q & A

What is the primary issue discussed in the script regarding the feeling of fear?

The primary issue discussed is not the feeling of fear itself, but the resistance to it. The script suggests that fear is a neutral experience and it's our resistance to it that causes suffering.

How does the script suggest we should approach the experience of fear?

The script suggests experiencing fear without any resistance, without comparing it to past experiences or future expectations, and without the desire to move away from it.

What is the significance of 'resistance' in the context of the script?

Resistance is portrayed as the main cause of psychological suffering. It is the act of wanting the fear to be different or to be gone, which is contained in a single thought that leads to discomfort.

How does the script relate the experience of fear to the concept of 'now'?

The script equates the experience of fear to being in the 'now', suggesting that by fully embracing the present moment without resistance, one can find peace and happiness within the experience itself.

What is the script's perspective on the relationship between fear and consciousness?

The script posits that fear is an experience made out of consciousness, and there is no separate fearful person experiencing fear. It suggests that consciousness is the knowing element in the experience of fear.

How does the script differentiate between physical pain and psychological suffering?

The script makes a clear distinction, stating that it is not discussing physical pain but rather psychological suffering, which arises from our resistance to our experiences, including fear.

What is the script's stance on the idea of a separate self experiencing fear?

The script argues against the idea of a separate self, stating that the experience of fear is not happening to anyone, and the notion of a person to whom fear is happening is a figment of imagination.

How does the script describe the nature of mind in relation to consciousness?

The script describes the mind as the movement of awareness, encompassing thinking, feeling, sensing, hearing, touching, and tasting. It suggests that mind is not independent of awareness but a manifestation of it.

What are the two modes of consciousness mentioned in the script?

The two modes of consciousness mentioned are at rest, referred to as Shiva, and in movement, referred to as Shakti. These represent the transcendent and imminent aspects of consciousness.

What are the two approaches to dealing with fear mentioned in the script?

The two approaches are the Vedantic approach, which involves moving away from the experience by recognizing that one is not the experience, and the Tantric approach, which involves moving closer to the experience until there is no distinction between the self and the experience.

How does the script suggest we can find happiness or peace within the experience of fear?

The script suggests that by deeply embracing the experience of fear without resistance, one can find happiness or peace at the heart of the fear, as this absence of resistance equates to the absence of suffering.

Outlines

00:00

😨 Embracing Fear Without Resistance

The first paragraph discusses the concept of fear and the common human tendency to resist it. It suggests that fear itself is not the problem, but rather our resistance to it, which creates suffering. The speaker encourages the listener to experience fear without comparing it to past experiences or seeking refuge in thoughts, but to take refuge in the present moment, which is always peaceful. The idea is to experience fear as it is, without the desire to change or escape it, and to find peace and freedom in the 'now'.

05:04

🧘‍♂️ Dissolving the Ego in the Experience of Fear

In this paragraph, the focus shifts to the nature of the self and the experience of fear. It posits that there is no separate self experiencing fear; instead, fear is an experience that arises from consciousness itself. The speaker emphasizes that consciousness is the underlying reality, and any sense of a separate self is an illusion. The paragraph explores the idea that consciousness has two modes: at rest (Shiva) and in movement (Shakti), and that there is never a separate self or object, only the fluid whole of experience. The speaker also touches on the concept of resistance to the present experience and how it can be overcome by fully embracing the experience without the impulse to move away.

10:07

🌱 Finding Peace at the Core of Fear

The third paragraph explores two approaches to dealing with fear: the Vedanta approach, which involves turning away from the experience by recognizing that one is not the thoughts, feelings, or sensations, but the witnessing presence of awareness; and the Tantric approach, which involves moving closer to the experience until there is no distinction between the self and the experience. The speaker advocates for the latter, suggesting that by fully embracing the experience of fear, one can find joy and peace, as there is no room for resistance in such a state of unity with the experience.

Keywords

💡Fear

Fear is an emotional response to a perceived threat or danger. In the video, fear is presented as a natural feeling that becomes problematic only when we resist it. The speaker suggests experiencing fear without resistance to discover its neutral nature, illustrating this with the idea of moving closer to fear rather than away from it.

💡Resistance

Resistance refers to the act of opposing or fighting against something. In the context of the video, it is the resistance to fear that causes suffering, not the fear itself. The speaker uses the concept of resistance to explain how our aversion to fear creates additional psychological distress.

💡Experience

Experience in this video denotes the direct encounter with emotions or sensations without the filter of thoughts or judgments. The speaker encourages embracing the experience of fear to realize that it is not inherently negative, but rather our reactions to it that cause issues.

💡Awareness

Awareness is the state or quality of being conscious or having a perception of something. The video discusses awareness as the underlying presence that observes and experiences fear. It is suggested that by recognizing ourselves as this awareness, we can dissolve the sense of a separate self experiencing fear.

💡Suffering

Suffering is the state of undergoing pain, distress, or hardship. In the video, suffering is not found in the experience of fear itself but in the resistance to it. The speaker explains that suffering arises from the thought 'I don't like this' and the desire for things to be different.

💡Thought

Thought is a mental process that involves the mind's engagement with ideas or concepts. The video emphasizes that our suffering is often contained within a single thought, such as 'I don't like this,' which leads to resistance and away from acceptance of the present experience.

💡Consciousness

Consciousness is the quality or state of awareness, or the ability to experience thoughts, feelings, and surroundings. The speaker describes consciousness as the fundamental aspect of our being, which is not separate from the experiences it has, including fear.

💡Peace

Peace is a state of tranquility or quietness. In the video, peace is found at the heart of fear when one fully embraces the experience without resistance. The speaker suggests that by not resisting fear, we can discover an inherent state of peace within it.

💡Vedanta

Vedanta is a school of Indian philosophy that emphasizes the oneness of the individual soul with the ultimate reality. The speaker mentions the Vedanta approach as one of two paths to deal with fear, which involves recognizing that one is not the thoughts, feelings, or sensations but the awareness behind them.

💡Tantric

Tantric refers to a set of spiritual practices that often involve engaging with intense experiences to achieve spiritual awakening. The speaker presents the Tantric approach as the alternative to Vedanta, where one moves closer to the experience of fear, embracing it fully to find joy and peace.

💡Mind

Mind, in the context of the video, is described as the movement of awareness, encompassing thinking, feeling, sensing, and perceiving. The speaker explains that mind is not separate from consciousness but is the activity or expression of it, like a movie is an expression of the screen it is projected on.

Highlights

The feeling of fear is not inherently problematic; it's the resistance to fear that causes suffering.

Experiencing fear without resistance reveals its neutral nature and energetic quality.

The idea of moving away from fear as a resolution is challenged; instead, embracing the experience is suggested.

The concept of 'taking refuge in the experience itself' is introduced as a way to overcome fear.

The notion of 'going on holiday in the now' is used to illustrate the freedom found in being present without past or future reference.

The resistance to fear is identified as a single thought that can spoil happiness.

The transcript discusses the suffering being contained within a single thought of non-acceptance of the present.

The experience of fear is described as an indivisible part of oneself, rather than something happening to an individual.

The concept of consciousness as the underlying presence in all experiences, including fear, is explored.

The transcript explains that consciousness and mind are not separate entities but rather movements of awareness.

The metaphor of a movie and a screen is used to describe the inseparable nature of consciousness and experience.

The idea that there is no separate self, only a fluid, vibrating whole of experience is presented.

The transcript touches on the Vedanta and Tantric approaches to dealing with fear and resistance.

The Tantric approach is described as moving closer to the experience, rather than away from it, to find peace and joy.

The transcript suggests that deep within any emotion, including fear, lies happiness and peace.

The concept of witnessing presence of awareness as a way to transcend personal identification with fear is discussed.

The transcript concludes with the idea that embracing the experience of fear can lead to a state of joy and peace.

Transcripts

so there's a feeling of fear and implied in  your question is that the feeling of fear  

is some kind of a problem you don't like it you  wish it wasn't there in other words there's the  

feeling of fear and then there's a resistance to  it yes now just put on one side your resistance  

to it because the resistance to the fear is  not the fear itself yes though experience the  

fear without any resistance to it experienced the  Roth fear independent of the feeling I don't like  

this fit I want to get rid of it now tell  us about the fear from that point of view

is there anything problematic about it  no it's like a certain energetic quality  

it has it yes it has a certain intensity to  it it has a vibrancy to it it's a it has an  

intensity to it but is it problematic  without this resistance to it in fact  

another way of asking yourself the same  question is if you experience the fear  

without any reference to the past without  any reference to thinking without comparing  

it with anything in other words you just  experience the fear is it uncomfortable

is there any motivation in you to move away  from it no you see what normally when we feel  

something like fear we think the resolution  is to move away from it to get away from it  

we want to take refuge in something else I'm  suggesting the opposite go closer to it take  

refuge in the experience itself come so close to  the experience that you can't separate yourself  

from it you can't look back and say I prefer how  things were yesterday because you're not comparing  

it you're not referring to thought you're just  referring to the experience take refuge in the now  

you're always at peace in the now you're always  on holiday in the now now why do we go on holiday  

why do we take holidays because we want to get  away from all the the thoughts the feelings the  

chores that that that plagued us every day that  bother us every day so we go to a holiday and we  

feel free what do we feel free of we feel free of  our thoughts and our responsibilities our duties  

in other words we feel free of the past and the  future so the place we really come to when we go  

on holiday is then now that's what we're seeking  you can take refuge in the now whenever you want

I feel that what I often experience is that it's  again like using those methods to get rid of it  

like so there's this this resistance that comes  in forward so for example it's a resistance that  

the that is the problem that the fear is not  the problem as you rightly say it just has a  

certain intensity to it nothing wrong with that  you don't want your life just to be one planned  

even there's nothing wrong with intensity this  doesn't the experience of fear itself is not the  

problem it's your resistance to it I wish I could  replace what is present with what is not present  

that's it there therein lies your suffering the  suffering is not in the fear fear is neutral it's  

your resistance to it that is your suffering and  your resistance to it is contained in a single  

thought it is that in substantial whenever you  are suffering your suffering is contained in a  

single thought I don't like this I don't like what  is going on I want I don't like what is present I  

want what is not present that's it that is  our suffering that that single thought the  

suffering is never in the experience itself I'm  not talking about physical pain and talking about  

psychological suffering in other words we allow  a single thought a single flimsy insubstantial  

thought to spoil our happiness and then it uses  this house and I'm going to ask who is having  

this fear but this is still motivated then by  its desire to reach having there who is having  

this fear so this so it seems that I'm trying  I'm there is an experience no one is having  

the fear the experience of fear is one experience  yeah it's not two experiences there's not me and  

the fear there is just the fear and you you are  then that which knows that the knowing element  

in your experience you totally utterly intimately  pervade your fear in fact your fear is made out of  

yourself out of consciousness there is no separate  fearful person there is just the experience of  

fear it's not happening to anyone the person to  whom you think your fear is happening is just  

a figment of your imagination if you look for  that person you never find it all you find is  

the presence of consciousness and I say all you  find is the presence of consciousness you are the  

presence of consciousness I mean all consciousness  finds is itself so this energetic sense that does  

I mention this is just a the energetics is just  that's just the dynamism of life it's the movement  

of awareness mind what I call mind or experience  that is thinking feeling sensing hearing touching  

tasting etc but that's what I call mind mind  is the movement of awareness it's not something  

that is independent of awareness that there is  nothing independent of awareness or consciousness  

just like the there is no such thing as a movie  independent of the screen you cannot peel the  

movie off a screen and say look here is a movie  apart from the screen there's no such thing called  

a movie the moveie is is a coloring of the only  thing if we can call it a thing that is really  

there the screen so all of mind thinking hearing  touching seeing sensing is a movement the activity  

of consciousness the movement of consciousness  so consciousness has two modes at rest when it's  

at rest it's called Shiva and in movement  then it's God Shakti consciousness and mind  

emptiness and form Shiva and Shakti transcendent  and imminent but there's never any there's never  

a separate self no that this this single infinite  indivisible whole never crystallizes out into a  

separate subject of experience and a multiplicity  and diversity of separate objects it's always an a  

fluid in the visible whole vibrating within itself  appearing to itself as the totality of experience  

but never actually becoming a sink an a discrete  object or self so during the resistance to the  

present experience is also that that's very true  yes yes but often it doesn't feel like but often  

it doesn't feel like that this feels like this  resistance is some but but why go back to your  

resistance if you if you come close to the fear  so close that you cannot separate yourself out  

from it there is you just there's this single  experience of fear there's no question of  

adding a new element someone that is resistant  there's just the intensity of this experience  

and you'll find there's not the slightest impulse  to move away from it in other words right at the  

heart of your fear you find happiness you find  peace which is means that which is another way  

I think the absence of resistance the absence  of suffering if you go deeply into any emotion  

you find happiness there you find peace there so  that these are the two ways that I was referring  

to the Vedanta canned the tantric approaches I'm  giving you the tantric approach now we either  

turn away from the fear I'm not my thoughts I'm  not my feelings I'm not my sensations I'm not my  

perceptions I am that which is aware of them I am  the witnessing presence of awareness that's the  

pedantic approach the inward facing path it's a  perfectly valid path I spent the first 20 years of  

my adult life on that path and I often recommend  it but then is this other path where we don't move  

away I am NOT this I am NOT this I am NOT this we  move closer I am this I am this I am this we come  

so close to the experience that we cannot find a  distinction between ourself the one that dislikes  

the experience and the experience itself there's  just the experience a single infinite indivisible  

whole and there's no room for resistance there  because who is present to resist who is there to  

rise up and say I don't like this you will  find your face shining with joy with peace

you

yeah I can feel so you can taste it now that  just keep going in that direction thank you