Awareness Is Never Veiled by Thoughts

Summary

This script delves into the nature of awareness versus the content of our thoughts and experiences. It likens awareness to a transparent, borderless screen on which the 'movie' of our thoughts and perceptions play. Often, we become so engrossed in the movie that we lose sight of the screen, or awareness itself. The script suggests that by turning away from the objects of distraction and focusing on awareness, we can begin to recognize the screen beneath the movie. It emphasizes the importance of repeatedly questioning 'what is it that knows my experience?' to break the deep-seated habit of being obscured by thoughts and to reestablish ourselves as the awareness in which all experiences appear.

Takeaways

• 🌟 Awareness is like a transparent, borderless screen made of pure knowing, on which thoughts and perceptions appear like a movie on a TV screen.
• 🎬 When we are engrossed in the content of our thoughts, we become less aware of the underlying screen of awareness, similar to how a movie can seem to obscure the TV screen.
• 🔍 The perception of our surroundings appears on the screen of awareness, but we often overlook this because we attribute reality to the objects of perception.
• 🧘‍♂️ The practice of turning away from distracting objects and focusing on awareness is a skillful means to become reacquainted with our inherent state of awareness.
• 🔄 It's a deep-seated habit, formed by cultural conditioning, to allow thoughts, images, and sensations to obscure our awareness, which is the norm for most people.
• 🤔 The question 'What is it that knows my experience?' is pivotal in shifting our focus from the content to the nature of experience, prompting us to explore the subject of experience.
• 🔄 The teaching encourages repeated reflection on the question of awareness to counter the strong habit of focusing on objects, helping the mind to habitually return to awareness.
• 🌱 As we become more familiar with the question of awareness, it takes less time to return to it, and eventually, we may not even need to form the question to feel our state of awareness.
• 🌈 Establishing a strong sense of 'I am awareness' is the goal, which transforms our identity from 'I am a man or woman' to 'I am awareness,' after which we no longer need to use the pathway of questioning.
• 🔑 The teachings provide various pathways to return to the subject of experience, emphasizing the importance of repeated practice to break the habit of object fixation and to realize our true nature.

Q & A

What is the analogy used to describe the relationship between thoughts and awareness?

The analogy compares awareness to a transparent, borderless screen made of pure knowing, and thoughts to a movie that appears on that screen. Just as a movie seems to obscure the TV screen, thoughts can seem to obscure the presence of awareness.

Why do we tend to lose awareness when we are engrossed in our thoughts?

We lose awareness when engrossed in thoughts because we become fascinated by the content of the movie (thoughts), and in that moment, we become involved with the movie, seemingly ceasing to see the screen (awareness).

What is the role of the 'screen of awareness' in our perception of reality?

The 'screen of awareness' is the medium on which our perceptions, thoughts, and experiences appear. It never gets veiled by these perceptions; instead, our focus on the objects of perception obscures our awareness of it.

How does giving reality to objects affect our perception of awareness?

Giving reality to objects, by believing in their separate existence, can obscure our awareness. It's similar to watching a movie and believing in the reality of the landscape, causing us to overlook the screen on which the movie is playing.

What is the first step recommended in the teaching to counter the habit of being obscured by thoughts?

The first step is to turn away from distracting objects and focus on awareness. This is a skillful means, a tool to help us become accustomed to recognizing and returning to the subject of experience.

Why is it important to return to the experience of objects after focusing on awareness?

Returning to the experience of objects is important because it allows us to view them from the perspective of awareness. This helps in understanding that awareness is not separate from experience but is the underlying reality of all experiences.

What is the significance of the question 'What is it that knows my experience?' in the teaching?

This question is significant as it prompts us to inquire into the nature of awareness, guiding us to recognize that there is something that knows or is aware of our experiences, which is the essence of our being.

How does the habit of being infatuated with the content of experience affect our awareness?

Being infatuated with the content of experience, rather than its nature, creates a habit that obscures our awareness. Most people go through life without noticing the 'screen' of awareness because of this cultural conditioning.

What is the purpose of repeatedly asking the question 'What is it that knows my experience?'

Repeating this question helps to break the habit of being lost in the objects of experience and to train the mind to return to awareness. Over time, it becomes easier and more natural to recognize and rest in awareness.

When do we no longer need to use the pathway of questioning to return to awareness?

We no longer need to use the pathway of questioning when we are firmly established as awareness. At this point, we feel 'I am awareness' as strongly as we previously identified with being a man or woman, and the tools of questioning become unnecessary.