Facing Our Feelings as Awareness

Summary

The script delves into the exploration of self-awareness, distinguishing it from objective experiences such as thoughts and emotions. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing one's true nature as the 'I' or awareness, independent of external conditions. It further discusses the necessity of revisiting beliefs and feelings to overcome ingrained habits. The script suggests an approach to fully accept and welcome all feelings as part of the self, akin to a room's space accommodating all that occurs within it, fostering a loving and benevolent indifference. It challenges individuals to genuinely welcome feelings without the intent to eliminate them, proposing a test of eternal acceptance to discern true non-resistance.

Takeaways

• 🔍 The first step is to turn away from objective experiences such as thoughts, images, feelings, emotions, and sensations, and instead turn towards the awareness that is aware of these experiences.
• 🧘‍♂️ The term 'I' refers to the awareness that is independent of any specific experience, whether it's depression or ecstasy.
• 🌟 Establishing the presence of awareness, independent of all objective experience, is crucial and is a recurring theme in conversations and contemplations.
• 🔄 After recognizing our essential nature, it's necessary to revisit our beliefs and feelings, as they are habits formed over decades and not easily eradicated by mere recognition.
• 🤔 The habit of thinking and feeling is deeply ingrained, and it requires consistent effort to face these habits from the perspective of our true nature.
• 🕊️ The metaphor of awareness as a space, like a room, is introduced to illustrate how awareness can welcome all experiences without resistance or judgment.
• 💧 It's important to invite feelings back into awareness not with the intention of changing or getting rid of them, but to accept them as they are.
• 🌱 The true test of acceptance is the ability to say 'I can live with this feeling forever,' indicating no desire to eliminate the feeling.
• 🧠 When suffering, it's advised to separate the story or belief accompanying the feeling from the physical sensation of the feeling itself.
• 🔎 To truly face a feeling, one must approach it without resistance, bringing it closer until there's an honest acceptance of its presence.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the approach described in the transcript?

The primary focus is to turn away from objective experiences such as thoughts, images, feelings, and sensations, and instead turn towards the awareness that is aware of these experiences, often referred to as 'I'.

Why is it important to establish the presence of awareness independent of objective experiences?

Establishing the presence of awareness independent of objective experiences is crucial as it helps to recognize and understand our essential nature, which is not limited or qualified by any specific experience.

What is the significance of the term 'eye' in the context of this approach?

The term 'eye' signifies the awareness that remains constant and independent, whether one is experiencing depression or ecstasy. It is the unchanging aspect that observes the changing states of emotions and sensations.

Why is it necessary to revisit our beliefs and feelings even after recognizing our essential nature?

Revisiting our beliefs and feelings is necessary because these have been ingrained through decades of repetition and have become habitual. Recognition of our true nature alone does not instantly eradicate these habits.

How does the approach suggest we should face our feelings after recognizing our essential self?

After recognizing our essential self, we should face our feelings from the perspective of awareness, not as a separate self with preferences or judgments, but as an open and welcoming space that accepts all feelings.

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

The analogy used is that of a room's space, where awareness is like the space of the room — open, empty, and capable of welcoming all experiences without resistance or judgment.

What is meant by 'welcoming feelings' in the context of this approach?

Welcoming feelings means accepting them without the intention of getting rid of them. It involves a genuine acceptance where one can say to a feeling, 'I can live with you forever, you are welcome within me forever.'

How can one test if they have truly welcomed a feeling?

One can test if they have truly welcomed a feeling by asking themselves if they can live with that feeling forever without wanting to change or eliminate it.

What is the role of the 'separate self' in the process described?

The 'separate self' is the egoic aspect that often tries to manipulate teachings to get rid of uncomfortable feelings. It is contrasted with the true welcoming of feelings from the perspective of awareness.

Why is it suggested to put the story accompanying suffering aside when dealing with feelings?

Putting aside the story accompanying suffering allows one to focus on the direct experience of the feeling as a sensation in the body, which is the aspect of the feeling that needs to be truly accepted and welcomed.

What is the final step in dealing with feelings according to the approach?

The final step is to bring the feeling closer and closer until there is no resistance left, and then to observe what remains of the feeling, which is a way of fully integrating and accepting the experience.