Observing the Thinker
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Observing emotions and sensations is relatively easy -
They are lying there in time so you have the option to decide when you will observe them. After all, they are here to stay, where do they have to run to?
They inflict so much pain, you can't miss them.
They are in the body, not solely in the head. Believing that you are inside the head, you are less prone to identify with them. Identification and observation are mutually exclusive.
They have an odor, they have energy, they have footprints, they almost have personality. Something to befriend, or to resent, or both.
Thoughts are a totally different story. Watching them is not advisable for control freaks.
Have you ever tried to watch a passing train from zero distance?
With thoughts, you do not decide the timing of observation as thoughts are rushing points in time, before they appear, they start to disappear. Have you ever tried to watch a passing train from zero distance?
They are bodiless, anonymous, spineless, completely lack any sense of humor. Boring, boring, boring!
And they are the observer. For now.
Oh dear.
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So how to overcome these obstacles?
So how can I overcome these obstacles to be able to watch the thoughts efficiently and continuously?
When I watch the thoughts I feel as if there is a background thinking process that is still active and not being watched, rather is part of the watcher (this thinking process says things like "what shall I watch now?", "I can't see any thoughts..." etc.). Very difficult and confusing...
Good observation
That's a good observation. Mind is watching mind, or in the larger context, Awareness is aware of the thoughts, and also aware of the fact that it is watching the thoughts of which is aware, and is also aware that it is generating thoughts about this awareness, positioning itself as an imagined mind in which all this is taking place. A sharp mind can go many levels deep with this, but it is not useful. It's just Awareness aware of it's awareness, aware of its awareness, etc.
Phil
Background process is foreground
If you're getting thoughts like "What shall I watch now?" and "I can't see any thoughts" then those thoughts are by definition being witnessed as well - or you would not have known they were there, let alone their content.
Awareness is silent, and isn't a background thought process. However, it may feel like there is one, if you believe your self to be the mind. Awareness is aware of both thoughts and their absence.
http://www.omkaradatta.info
OBESRVING THE TRRUTH ON THE BASE OF EGO IS ERRENEOUS
Santthosh
OBSERVING HUMAN EXPERIENCE AS A PERSON IS BASED ON THE EGO. THE EGO WILL NEVER ALLOW THE SEEKER OF TRUTH TO GO BEYOND THE EXPERIENCE OF DUALITY OR MIND.
WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO OBSERVE, WHEN YOU AND YOUR EXPERIENCE OF THE WORLD AND EMOTIONS AND FEELINGS ARE WITHIN THE MIND, HOW CAN YOU OBSERVE THEM AS AN OBJECT.
IF YOU ARE SEEKING TRUTH, THESE TYPE OF OBSERVATION IS NOT OF ANY USE. IF YOU ARE SEEKING SPRITUAL FANTASY THEN IT IS ALLRIGHT.
FIRST UNDERSTAND WHAT MIND AND ITS NATURE IS. IT IS FOOLISH TO TAKE ANY SPIRITUAL ADVENTURE ON THE FALSE IDENTITY OF EGO. THEREFORE FIRST DISCOVER AND IDENTIFY THE TRUE SELF THEN ON THAT TRUE BASE TRAIN THE MIND TO VIEW AND JUDGE THE WORLDVIEW. THEN THE TRUTH WILL START UNFOLDING BY ITSELF.
Nothing else observing
The moment a perspective is taken, this is necessarilly a perspective of an individual mind. The concept of the observer, or the witness, (which does not actually exist), is a trick of the mind. Even within the concept, the witness is not in any way contemplating experience, and so nothing comes of this observation. That which believes it is observing experience or ego, is mind, and it has bifurcated itself into what is believes is ego, and something it believes is not ego. It's just a way of positioning the mind in a detached mode of observation, but it has not distanced itself at all from ego. On the other hand, the only reason thoughts can be observed at all is because 'something' stands apart from those thoughts. This is so whether one imagines oneself to be positioned as an observer, or as ego. They are all mind thoughts.
If you were to "first discover and identify the true self", the Truth has already unfolded. You are cooked, done, stick a fork in it. The fact that you are positioned as your true self, awaiting the unfolding of the Truth of yourself, demonstrates the self deception.
Phil
THE SEER AND THE SEEN
Santthosh
HI DORA,
IT IS NO USE OF OBSERVING ON THE PHYSICAL PLANE. THE MIND HAS TO BE TRAINED TO VIEW AND JUDGE THE WHOLE WORLDVIEW WHICH INCLUDES THE PERCEIVER OF THE WORLD ON THE BASE OF TRUE SELF WHICH IS ATAMAN OR SPIRIT.
WHEN THIS DONE THEN THE SEEKING MIND BECOMES AWARE OF THE FACT THAT THE SEER AND SEEN ARE ONE IN ESSENCE AND THERE IS NO SECOND THING. HENCE IT IS NON DUAL.
WITH RESPECT AND REGARDS
SANTTHOSH.