Insight 14: Looking at the Mind and the Self

Verse 17

When one looks again and again at the mind that is not a thing to be seen,
And sees vividly for what it is the meaning of not seeing,
Doubts about the meaning of “is” and “isn’t” are erased.
Without confusion, may my own face know itself.

Instructions

Pay attention in the quiet moments in the recording.

Meditation

  • Allow the mind to rest.
  • Observe the mind that moves. 
  • Observe the mind that is still. 
  • Recognize the moving mind and the stillness of mind inseparable. 
  • Looking at the still mind and that which appears to the mind, can you find a self? 
  • Is the mind fixating on what is being experienced? 
  • Is the mind fabricating what is being experienced? 
  • Let the mind rest, recognizing mind’s nature, empty of finding something concrete, yet knowing that experience is manifesting. 
  • Rest free of putting any emphasis on meditative experiences.

After Meditation

  • Can you recognize how a thought, an emotion or a sensation appears, where it abides, and the way it disappears? 
  • The ability to recognize is the clarity aspect of the mind. 
  • Have you the ability to recognize the emptiness of mind in that it is unfindable? 
  • In the not finding, do you recognize the mind can experience and know that it is experiencing? 
  • Is this recognition clear even for a moment? 
  • What fixates or fabricates what is being experienced?
  • What part does the self play?

During the Day

If you have some clarity of recognizing mind’s nature, even if it is for a quick moment, take this quick moment to increase your ability to turn the mind to recognizing mind’s nature many times throughout the day. Persevere.