URI:
   DIR Return Create A Forum - Home
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Lojong Conversation
  HTML https://lojongconversation.createaforum.com
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       *****************************************************
   DIR Return to: General Discussion
       *****************************************************
       #Post#: 7--------------------------------------------------
       EXAMINE the nature of Unborn Awareness
   DIR By: Bari
       Date: February 12, 2021, 9:02 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       To Examine: inspect (someone or something) in detail to
       determine their nature or condition; investigate thoroughly.
       Last night after our class I stood in front of the television
       and heard something that made my heart immediately grip and
       begin to harden. I stood with that feeling for a moment watching
       it, sensing it and finding space in it. The 'armor' that Pema
       talks about so resonates with me. And she is right..... it isn't
       really there even though I feel it so powerfully. I felt myself
       soften, expand beyond my hardening heart. I grew bigger in some
       way. For a slight moment. A smile arose.
       I know I am conditioned since I was a child to be responsive in
       a certain way to particular positions or points of view. It is
       so much of who I am which is painfully clear the more I practice
       and train. And I did see - in that tiny moment - that there was
       the opportunity patiently waiting for me, if I applied myself to
       it, to find something that is also present -  more present at
       that moment if I put my attention to it. It takes a lot to do
       that. Literally putting on the brakes which takes a lot of
       effort from me and courage at times. But it also seems to take
       nothing at all. Just a conscious effort over and over again
       which a part of me doesn't want to do.... wants to keep me from
       doing.
       I can't help wondering and wanting to know and experience what
       would happen if I was not the person brought up to be angry at
       certain information and positions? Or threatened by them? What
       would happen if my heart was not so ready to harden before I
       even feel it beat?
       #Post#: 8--------------------------------------------------
       Re: EXAMINE the nature of Unborn Awareness
   DIR By: EvelynCanno
       Date: February 12, 2021, 2:28 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       “Space is primordial; there was never a time before space came
       into being. Therefore we say that space is “unborn.” In the same
       way, our mind, our “awareness, is primordial. Because we can
       never find our awareness, we can’t say there was ever a time
       when our awareness didn’t exist and was then born. This is the
       meaning of “unborn awareness.”
       Excerpt From
       The Intelligent Heart
       Dzigar Kongtrul
       #Post#: 9--------------------------------------------------
       Re: EXAMINE the nature of Unborn Awareness
   DIR By: Newt0322
       Date: February 18, 2021, 10:42 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       This is a very cool concept. Thank you for sharing the quote.
       I am new to exploring Buddhist philosophy and meditation and
       likely read things too literally or within a scientific
       framework ( I am working on getting past this "hindrance').
       Some might question the premise that space has always existed.
       If you are a "Big Bang" proponent, then our Universe began at
       that point. All existing matter and energy in the Universe had
       its birth in that event
       Humans and all else are truly made of
       stardust.  In a sense, can consciousness be considered as
       similarly having its origins in this event?  Unborn awareness
       then becomes a contemplation (meditation) of the time before
       matter existed.  I like to think of things in this way because
       it connects me in a fundamental manner to the Universe that
       surrounds me and the continuity of time.
       I recognize that my thoughts are concrete and may not be
       applicable to the slogan, but wanted to share them nevertheless.
       #Post#: 10--------------------------------------------------
       Re: EXAMINE the nature of Unborn Awareness
   DIR By: Newt0322
       Date: February 18, 2021, 10:57 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Also, Bari. I have been trying your suggestion of contemplating
       the I or ME that exists in the moment of waking. The "I" is
       often the person who existed in my dream. There is also that
       time when we are not quite asleep but not awake. My self concept
       is then an awareness (or lack thereof) of a potential ME. A ME
       that is rooted in both dream and what I consider reality.
       *****************************************************
       Page 1 of 1