Desire and emotions!

The goal isn't to completely indulge or eliminate desires or emotions. They're part of the human experience. The goal is to free yourself from the identification with them, to recognize that you are the consciousness that's aware of them.

• Explanation:

  • This is crucial for a balanced understanding. We're not trying to become emotionless robots. Emotions and desires are part of what makes us human.
  • However, when we identify with them, we become slaves to them. We're constantly chasing after desires and trying to avoid unpleasant emotions.
  • By dis-identifying, we gain freedom. We can experience emotions and desires without being controlled by them. We can choose how to respond to them, rather than reacting automatically.
  • It is like a person that knows how to swim, and a person that does not. both people are in the water. The person that knows how to swim, can enjoy the water, and go where they want. The person that does not know how to swim, is at the mercy of the water.

• Examples:

• Enjoying Food: You can enjoy the taste of delicious food without being addicted to it. You can savor the experience without needing to overindulge.
• Experiencing Joy: You can experience joy without clinging to it, knowing that it will eventually pass.
• Dealing with Sadness: You can experience sadness without being overwhelmed by it, knowing that it too will eventually pass.
• Pursuing Goals: You can pursue your goals with passion and dedication, but without being attached to the outcome

How to free yourself from the identification with them? It's to recognize that you are the consciousness that's aware of them.

• Explanation:

  • This is the core of the shift we're discussing. It's not about suppressing or denying your thoughts, feelings, or desires. It's about changing your relationship with them.
  • Right now, you likely say things like, "I am angry," "I want that," or "I am worried." This is identification. You're taking those experiences as being essential to who you are.
  • The goal is to shift to a perspective where you can say, "I am aware of anger," "I am aware of a desire," or "I am aware of worry." This is dis-identification. You're recognizing that you are the observer, not the experience itself.
  • It's like distinguishing between the actor and the role they play. The actor plays the role, feels the emotions of the character, but knows they are not the character.

• Examples:

• Anger:
  • Identification: "I am so angry! I can't stand this! I'm going to explode!" (You're completely consumed by the anger.)
  • Dis-identification: "I notice anger arising in my body. My heart is racing, my face is flushed. I see the thoughts that are fueling this anger. I am aware of the anger, but I am not the anger itself." (You observe the anger without being overwhelmed by it.)
• Desire:
  • Identification: "I need that new phone! I'll be so much happier if I have it! I can't live without it!" (You're completely attached to the desire.)
  • Dis-identification: "I notice a desire for a new phone arising. I see the thoughts and feelings associated with it. I understand that this desire is temporary. I am aware of the desire, but I am not defined by it." (You acknowledge the desire without being controlled by it.)
• Worry:
• Identification: "I'm so worried about the presentation tomorrow. What if I mess up? I'm going to fail!" (You're trapped in a cycle of worry.)
• Dis-identification: "I notice worry arising in my mind. I see the thoughts of potential failure. I feel the tension in my body. I am aware of the worry, but I am not defined by it." (You observe the worry without letting it paralyze you.)

What does Consciousness play role in this? 

Consciousness is the subject, not the object. Consciousness is not a thing, but rather the very capacity for experience.

• Explanation:

  • This is a fundamental point about the nature of consciousness. It's not something you can find or hold onto. It's the very capacity that allows you to have any experience at all.
  • Think of your eyes. They allow you to see, but you can't see your own eyes without a mirror. Consciousness is similar. It's the "seer," not the "seen."
  • Everything else – your thoughts, feelings, sensations – are objects of consciousness. They appear within your awareness.
  • Think of a light. The light allows you to see the objects in a room, but the light itself is not an object. It is that which illuminates.

• Examples:

• Looking at a Tree: You see a tree. The tree is the object of your awareness. Consciousness is the subject that allows you to see the tree.
• Thinking a Thought: You have a thought. The thought is the object of your awareness. Consciousness is the subject that allows you to have the thought.
• Feeling an Emotion: You feel an emotion. The emotion is the object of your awareness. Consciousness is the subject that allows you to feel the emotion.
• During meditation: you try to look for the consciousness. you wont find it. you will only find the things that are inside of your consciousness.

How to practice this? 

Why It's Challenging to "See" Consciousness:

• Habitual Identification:
  • For most of our lives, we've identified with our bodies, minds, and emotions. This identification is deeply ingrained, making it difficult to shift our perspective.
  • The mind is very good at creating the illusion that it is "you".
• The Nature of Consciousness:
  • Consciousness isn't a "thing" you can see or grasp. It's the very capacity for seeing and grasping. It's like trying to see your own eyes without a mirror.
  • Consciousness is the subject, not the object.
• The Mind's Activity:
  • The mind is constantly active, churning out thoughts and emotions. This activity can obscure the stillness of consciousness.
  • Desires and wishes are part of the mind's activity, so awareness of consciousness doesn't automatically erase them.

What You Can Do:

• Deepen Meditation:
  • Focus on the space between thoughts. Instead of trying to stop thoughts, simply notice the gaps between them. These gaps are glimpses of consciousness.
  • Practice "witnessing" meditation. Instead of focusing on your breath, simply observe whatever arises in your awareness – thoughts, feelings, sensations – without judgment.
  • Try "I am" meditation. Simply repeat the phrase "I am" silently, focusing on the feeling of "I-ness" that underlies all experience.
• Self-Inquiry:
  • Continue to ask yourself, "Who am I?" But go beyond intellectual answers. Explore the feeling of "I-ness" directly.
  • When a thought or emotion arises, ask yourself, "Who is aware of this thought/emotion?" This can help you distinguish between the mind and consciousness.
• Cultivate Detachment:
  • Practice observing your desires and wishes without judgment. Notice them arising, changing, and passing away.
  • Remind yourself that you're not your desires. They're just temporary experiences.
• Mindful Living:
  • Bring awareness to your everyday activities. Notice the sensations of walking, eating, or talking.
  • Practice being present in the moment, without getting caught up in thoughts about the past or future.
• Patience and Persistence:
  • This is a gradual process. Don't get discouraged if you don't have an immediate breakthrough.
  • Continue to practice and trust that the understanding will deepen over time.
• Don't fight the desires:
  • Fighting desires, creates more tension. Simply observe them, and let them go.
• Find a teacher:
• A teacher can help guide you through the process, and help you overcome obstacles.

Understanding Consciousness

1. Consciousness is described as the fundamental reality, pure awareness that exists beyond the limitations of the body, mind, and ego. It's the silent witness, the background of all experiences.

• Explanation:

  • This point emphasizes that consciousness is the foundation upon which everything else arises. It's not a thing, but rather the very capacity for experience.
  • Think of a movie screen. The screen itself doesn't change regardless of the movie being played. The images, sounds, and stories appear on it, but the screen remains. Consciousness is like that screen – it's the unchanging background for all our experiences.
  • The body, mind, and ego are like the movie. They're constantly changing, but consciousness remains constant. It's the "silent witness" because it simply observes without judgment.

• Examples:

  • Pain: You stub your toe. Your body experiences physical pain, your mind reacts with thoughts like "ouch!" or "why me?", and your ego might feel offended. But behind all those reactions, there's a sense of awareness that simply registers the experience. That awareness is consciousness.
  • Emotional Turmoil: You're feeling overwhelmed with anxiety. Your mind races with negative thoughts, your body feels tense, and your ego feels threatened. But even within that chaos, there's a part of you that's aware of the anxiety. That awareness is consciousness.
  • Deep Sleep: When you're in deep, dreamless sleep, your body is still functioning, but your mind and ego are relatively inactive. Yet, when you wake up, you remember that you were asleep. That memory implies a continuous awareness throughout sleep, which is consciousness.
  • Sensory Input: you are listening to music. the music changes in tempo and volume, and various instruments are used. your mind processes the music, and you may have emotional reactions to the music. but, the consciousness is the thing that allows you to hear the music in the first place.

2. When the mind becomes aware of consciousness, a shift occurs.

• Explanation:

  • This shift is a change in perspective. Instead of identifying solely with the mind and its contents, you begin to recognize yourself as the consciousness that's aware of the mind.
  • This awareness creates a sense of detachment. You're no longer as caught up in the drama of your thoughts and emotions. You can observe them without being overwhelmed by them.
  • It's like realizing that you're not the character in the movie, but the one watching the movie.

• Examples:

  • Meditation: During meditation, you might notice a stream of thoughts arising and passing away. Initially, you might get caught up in those thoughts. But with practice, you start to see that you're not the thoughts themselves, but the one who's aware of them. This is the shift.
  • Observing Emotions: Imagine you're feeling angry. Instead of getting swept away by the anger, you take a step back and observe it. You notice the physical sensations, the racing thoughts, and the urge to react. You realize that you're not the anger, but the one who's witnessing it.
  • Detachment from Thoughts: When a negative thought arises, instead of immediately believing it, you observe it with curiosity. You ask yourself, "Is this thought really true?" or "Is this thought helpful?" This creates a space between you and your thoughts.

3. This awareness leads to a broader perspective, where the interconnectedness of all beings becomes apparent. It's not that consciousness directly makes decisions, but rather that it transforms the mind's approach to decision-making.

• Explanation:

  • As you become more aware of consciousness, you start to see that it's the same consciousness that's present in everyone and everything. This realization fosters a sense of interconnectedness.
  • Ethical decision-making is transformed because you're no longer acting solely from a self-centered perspective. You consider the impact of your actions on others, recognizing that you're all part of the same whole.
  • Consciousness doesn't make the decision, the mind still does, but the mind makes better decisions.

• Examples:

  • Compassionate Action: You see someone struggling, and instead of judging them, you feel empathy. You recognize that their suffering is connected to your own.
  • Environmental Awareness: You realize that your actions have an impact on the environment, and you become more mindful of your consumption habits.
  • Conflict Resolution: You're in a conflict with someone, and instead of trying to win, you try to understand their perspective. You recognize that you're both trying to meet your needs.
  • Ethical business practices: A business owner that is aware of the interconnectedness of people and the environment, will make decisions that are good for all, instead of simply maximizing profit.

I hope these examples help clarify those three points.

Further recommended reading

Absolute Freedom vs Ethical Conduct