Do I really become what “I” identify with?

Building myself- and constructing “me” and “mine”- all that is part of my mental universe is a rather complex storyline– a series of identifications with conditions- and creating a sense of “self” out of them. It is these same conditions that have no permanence- ever-changing and fluid. Suffering often arises as we try to solidify these conditions- these states of mind that simply arise and fall within our consciousness in their own time and manner.

When we cannot see clearly the essence of our identifications as they relate to a sense of self, we are left vulnerable to deep discontent and unfulfillment. Mental formations are constructs born out of our experiences, associations, and perceptions. The process, by which, they are formed is very content-sensitive- and within these mental formations there is no enduring core as they inevitably pass away.

Underlying all of our thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations is energy. This energy that drives a sense of “me” is fundamentally a content-oriented identification- stirring and stimulating impulsive tendencies throughout our moment-moment experiences. It is this repetitive tendency for continual identification that underlies the process of “selfing”. The antidote to this conditioning is the “clear seeing” insight of vipassana meditation. In a calm and stable awareness, a new way of seeing changes our relationship to our mental formations as they arise and fall within the emptiness of a consciousness that is now expansively open to receive. Whether salient our subtle the energy is perceived and transmuted with this penetrating awareness.

Within this sensitive and deep contemplation of “clear seeing” meditation, it is here where things arise to be known in the heart of the curious observer. In this openness and spaciousness, there is awareness for what is constant flux. All that is seen is simply a reflection of the way things are always changing. This process of “seeing” is intimate yet impersonal- it’s just the way things are.There is no cessation to the energy that arises and falls in awareness as it is continually the birthing mechanism for a new process… a new stream of consciousness… what is occupied becomes empty and occupied again… and so on and so on.

It is insight that brings us into the process of deep contemplation and reflection for observing a reality- a direct experience of reality that is impermanent. We look, observe, and listen to what experiential wisdom has to “say”– and to reflect of itself. To observe with mindsight is to see clearly the energy behind a sense of separate “self” to have been conditioned and enmeshed through repetitive identification and attachment. This new observing mind-body awareness mirrors and reflects object of experience as it is part of the whole experiencing process itself. In the light of awareness, the separate “self” falls away. Through ongoing practice this truth will ultimately be revealed.

For any of this insight to make sense- you the observer and the examiner need opt to see it as a mindful and wise way to be. What do you see- who and what do you really think you are?

Comments