Three Supports For Turning Towards Mystery

3/1/2024

I love this passage written by Martin Aylward. My understanding of living a holistic life is enriched by reading and reflecting on this passage. According to me, nonconceptual awareness is awareness beyond the knowledge acquired from books, teachers and other sources. Nonconceptual awareness is cultivated by experiencing the unconditional Truth, the unconditional Love, and by living in here-now consciousness. It is beyond words, concept and theories. I consider it as living Truth. It goes beyond conceptual learning acquired from books, teachers and other resources. It is an experiential learning gained by reading books or listening to teachers attentively with an open mind, reflecting on the teachings, practicing the words of wisdom, and incorporating the teachings in everyday life.

The author describes three helpful supports for nonconceptual awareness. The first support is embodied awareness. Conceptual awareness by itself is not enough. Learning lessons from books or teachers is the starting point. Reflecting on what is orally or verbally acquired is very important for conceptual learning. I call it a curious and inquiring mind. The second helpful support for nonconceptual awareness is building the capacity and the willingness to continue letting go. Mind has a tendency to think. It is mind's job. There is no need to fight the mind or let the mind do whatever the mind wants to do. Using discretion is very important for regulating our thoughts, emotions, expressions and actions. We do not let our mind hijack us. We do not get hooked by the mind. We use our mind wisely. That is the sign of an awakened being. As the author says " Awareness is a more potent, luminous, and immediate than our mental prevarications. When you find yourself caught up in a thought, notice, and in the noticing unhook, unhook, unhook." I find this a very wise advice for unburdening ourselves from the heavy load of unwholesome thoughts. The third step is applying the learning in life, integrating it in our life. The third support for nonconceptual presence, the willingness to not know- the willingness to put aside familiar and the willingness to meet each experience new. As the author says, "to live aside inner or outer, pleasant or unpleasant, good or bad-all of them can be left aside." I take this as remaining unattached- nonattachment to good or bad keeps the mind free.
Namaste!

2 Comments

Ankit H. Shah

3/2/2024 01:11:54 pm

Looking at this article, I am appreciative, that I am able to follow some of these qualities in my current life. I am trying to be present and honest with what I feel, soaking in deep and dark truths that involve a very deep conflict in my life. I am acknowledging that maybe my previous explanations for why this conflict has arisen or not satisfactory and that I should also try to bring a beginners mind to this conflict. I can say that I have been afraid before, but not afraid like this. However, I’m letting it happen and trying to deal with it with as much boys and awareness as possible without distracting myself in food, drink, or activities that don’t let me perceive the world in a deeper way.

Therese M Griffin link

3/2/2024 04:30:21 pm

Awareness is the beginning before one can even look at the next steps. Some years now I have embraced before or in order to teach others, I need to become teachable. I do not have any answers before the question. I have learned to become one in the universe once I allow it.

I spent two days in Doughlas AZ and across the border. We had translator that would Spanish into English, and visa-versa. A room of 13 children from 5yr to 12yrs who could not speak or understand English and I cannot understand Spanish. One female child about 11 must have noticed the I raised my eyebrows up and down. She repeated it several times. I was surprised because I didn't realize I had did raise my eyebrows. It made her happy with a big smile that glowed. We made a beautiful connection with no words in silence.

The young 5yr old boy got a little restless. The teacher asked him to sit by her with a hug he was happy. When we ended our gathering, he gave another hug to his teacher, and he presided to walk to all the guests hugs. The other children loved that idea as they follow the young child, When the eye brow girl hugged me twice. The second time, I said, "You are beautiful." She had a puzzle look as not understanding. Cindy my friend, repeated the word in Spanish for Beautiful. The girl's Awareness is the beginning before one can even look at the next steps. Some years now I have embraced before or inorder to teach others, I need to become teachable. I do not have any answers before the question. I have learned to become one in the universe once I allow it.

I spent two days in Doughlas AZ and accross the border. We had translator that would Spanish into English and visa-versa. A room of 13 children from 5yr to 12yrs who could not speak or understand English and I cannot understand Spanish. One female child about 11 must have noticed the I raised my eye brows up and down. She repeated it several times. I was surpised because I Awareness is the beginning before one can even look at the next steps. Some years now I have embraced before or inorder to teach others, I need to become teachable. I do not have any answers before the question. I have learned to become one in the universe once I allow it.

I spent two days in Doughlas AZ and accross the border. We had translator that would Spanish into English and visa-versa. A room of 13 children from 5yr to 12yrs who could not speak or understand English and I cannot understand Spanish. One female child about 11 must have noticed the I raised my eye brows up and down. She repeated it several times. I was surpised because I didn't realize I had did raise my eyebrows. It made her happy with a big smile that glowed. We made a beautiful connection with no words in silence.

The young 5yr old boy got a little restless. The teached asked him to sit by her with a hug he was happy. When we ended our gathering, he gave another hug to his teacher and he presided to walk to all the guests hugs. The other children loved that idea as they follow the young child, When the eye brow girl hugged me twice. The second time, I said, "You are beautiful." She had a puzzle look as not understanding. Cindy my friend, repeated the word in Spanish for Beautiful. The girl's facical glowed with joy. Be one across a room in silence. I had did raise my eyebrows. It made her happy with a big smile that glowed. We made a beautiful connection with no words in silence.

The young 5yr old boy got a little restless. The teached asked him to sit by her with a hug he was happy. When we ended our gathering, he gave another hug to his teacher and he presided to walk to all the guests hugs. The other children loved that idea as they followed the young child, When the eye brow girl hugged me twice. The second time, I said, "You are beautiful." She had a puzzle look as not understanding. Cindy my friend, repeated the word in Spanish for Beautiful. The girl's facical glowed with joy. Be one across a room in silence. l glowed with joy. Be one across a room in silence.

Mindfulness

Three Supports For Turning Towards Mystery

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