I got to wondering. How has my practice helped during periods of stress. With a pandemic disease running its course, possible pay cuts or a furlough looming in my future just in time to be in the middle of a move from one house to another (still with two payments), I should be more stressed. I’m not. Why? It’s difficult to describe mindfulness, suchness, non-self, etc. to an outsider. You just have to be there, I guess. Two reflections have recently come into use by this practitioner that have been very helpful in seeing some truth. The truth that I think I speak of is non-self. There is a me, but it really is more like a “we.” There are a conglomeration of neurons forming consciousness (includes emotions, judgments, decisions…the whole thing). There are many other cells supporting the function of the body that feed into the brain, as well. However, when you look at it there really is no “I.” This being “I” am is really a community of cells, mirobiome, and matter that cooperate so the neurons can make a story out of perception. Anyway, the two practices:
- On Having No Head – Originated by Douglas Harding. This is a meditation and observation that your experience from moment to moment is of empty space seeing out into your visual field. You actually observe from this oval-like space and you can never really see a head. In reality, you don’t have one from your point of view. Please don’t jump to arguments about how you can prove otherwise, this is simply a tool for observing consciousness. Where are you? Point back at where you think your head is? Where is it? The implications of working with this meditation are profound.
- Who is __________? This one is mine, although I’ve compiled it from volumes of techniques. No matter what you are thinking, feeling, or doing just replace the “I” with “Who.” For example, “I am angry that the water heater is not working.” becomes “Who is angry that the water heater is not working?” The object of the sentence is not that important actually. So “I am angry” becomes “Who is angry?” Now the work begins and you REALLY look for that “who.” The more you look, the more you become that outside observer. The more you look, the more you realize there is no who. Just consciousness…that mysterious thing that comes from that mysterious place. For some, we may stop with God…but look further, what is its nature? Where does it come from? Certainly something big, at least bigger than a water heater. Keep looking, nothing there, yet something is there. Suchness? Energy? The Consciousness? God? Keep looking. You can do this with anything at the present moment: Who is raking leaves? Who is sitting here? The important part is looking for the “who.”
