Everything we see/hear/touch/taste/smell/think is an object, an object of consciousness. These objects include everything from a 50 ton whale to an atom viewed through an electron microscope. And the one we typically think of as “me” is also an object of consciousness. What You really are contains what you think you are. Do nothing exceptContinue reading “What You Really Are Can Never Be Found By Anyone”
Author Archives: Vincent Flammini
It Is All a Story…Including This (Step 1)
I’ve mentioned before in other posts that all that is ever really experienced is thinking and sensation. No matter what it looks like, everything that we are ever experiencing is thought and sensation. The combination of these two elements is what we sometimes refer to as emotion (with sincere thanks to zen teacher Joko BeckContinue reading “It Is All a Story…Including This (Step 1)”
Allow It All
Allow. If there was only one word to use as a pointer, this would be a pretty good one…Allow. Allow whatever is happening right now. Right now! Really. Don’t make this an intellectual exercise or, if you are, allow that. See whatever it is that is registering in sight and allow. Hear whatever sounds areContinue reading “Allow It All”
Theo’s Search for the Center
Once upon a time a lovely and unremarkable spider, Theo (not poisonous, not mean-spirited, just your typical fly- and gnat-eating spider), sat in his web, thinking. Theo thought about lots of things, but mostly Theo thought about spider enlightenment. He had read many books written by other wise spiders who had realized their true nature.Continue reading “Theo’s Search for the Center”
There Isn’t Really Anyone Who Rests in Amsterdam
Questioner: I keep trying to rest, but my mind just keeps going. Another teacher told me that this pointer to just rest will lead me astray. I’m afraid I’m not getting it. Vince: Look, everyone who is talking about this stuff has his/her own way of trying to help people see what they have seen.Continue reading “There Isn’t Really Anyone Who Rests in Amsterdam”
No Experience Necessary
What you are can never be experienced. Looking for a particular experience as confirmation of what you are – whether peace or love or anger or irritation or rain or cold wind or sand between your toes or terror or calm or equanimity or hunger or sublime spiritual visions – takes you in the wrongContinue reading “No Experience Necessary”
Awareness Is Stuff, Stuff Is Awareness
Even though Awareness cannot be “experienced,” this doesn’t mean that Awareness-Being is somehow separate from all of the stuff of life. On the contrary, life is Awareness/Beingness itself. Absolutely everything is known in, by, and as Awareness. Nothing is separate from this Everyday Awareness present here-now…It is never anywhere other than here. A line from the Heart Sutra says that “form is nothing other than emptiness andContinue reading “Awareness Is Stuff, Stuff Is Awareness”
Isness Is Infinitely Is-ing
Being what you really are is not difficult. Being what you are not and then arguing for or against it is what is difficult. Notice that right now, if you just rest and welcome everything (really – everything – including your rejection of anything), there is nothing else that needs to be done in orderContinue reading “Isness Is Infinitely Is-ing”
Stop
Wherever you are right now, reading this, stop. What do you notice? Sounds, sights, sensations, smells…allow them all. What notices? Thoughts probably stumble through that say “I do” or “me” or “my brain” or “my senses” or something similar. What notices those thoughts? Welcome home to the place you never left.
Awareness is Everything
Awareness is present when the “me-sense” is present. Awareness is present when the”me-sense’ is not present. Awareness is present when the sense of “beingness” is present. Awareness is present when the sense of “beingness” is not present. Awareness is present when there is a sense of “knowing.” Awareness is present when there is no senseContinue reading “Awareness is Everything”