The Gate

'Morning Martin.
..one more 'issue'; 'what is 'intention' directly experienced as ?' thanks. (from one guide)
& (from another) You says "the most "I" have is intention". Do you ?

love

vince

Hi Vince,

Every day brings a new view, each day new experiencing, so with more looking its changing all the time.

Intention is a thought or label. Its not something "I" have. It arises spontaneously, & it is not "under my control".

There is also awareness of intention, & with continuing practise (both from experiencing/ looking and formal meditation practise), the awareness is developing to a more stable view. From my Rigpa studies, the awareness is aware of the rising and cessation of thoughts.

Re-reading the sentence written yesterday - "the most "I" have is intention", it is obvious the pitfalls of this ! "I" haven't anything. Intention arises, mind labels it so, and if conditions are right and over time the intention may or may not come to fruition.

Intention feels like a seed, which can grow to be an experience, if all other dependant conditions are present.

Thanks
Martin

Hi Martin. just one more- 'So looking now, is anything whatsoever 'under control'?

love

vince

Hi Vince

Nothing is under control, nothing ever was either. There was an illusion of control, an illusion that there was "I" at the helm, so to speak. But now, there are just thoughts arising spontaneously, intention seeding experience. Dependant conditions creating experiences.

Today for example, looking at a memorial card of a relative, which sparked a thought about my father, it created a smile, as this was further evidence of dependant conditions and experiencing. Previously there would have been a thought - "I" must do so & so, bit today there was just awareness of the intention to do so & so.

So no control in place, and no wish to have control either. just happy to go with whatever is happening, responding to events as they unfold.

All the best
Martin

intention seeding experience. Dependant conditions creating experiences.

this was further evidence of dependant conditions and experiencing.

Martin, can you SEE what parts of these quotes are story ?

love

vince

HI Vince,

Everything written is a story, it has to be in order for it to be communicated ?. . . . Experience is experience, it just IS. but as soon as it is communicated, either by speaking, or writing, it all becomes separated from experience, and is a story.

Getting confused now !

Hello Vince,

Thinking about your post during the day, and all the quotes are stories. Its very difficult to answer the questions asked without telling a story.

Is "Martin" missing something here ?

Thanks

Everything written is a story, it has to be in order for it to be communicated ?

Yes. Stories are not only useful, but necessary for navigating daily existence. On the other hand it's stories that are the source of suffering.

Is "Martin" missing something here ?

You tell me ?
Sorry, it was a badly phrased question. Let's try again.
..bugger, it's hard to ask questions sometimes without leading to an obvious answer. OK, What part does 'dependent conditions' play in the scheme of what is Real ?


vince

Hi Vince,

Stories can lead to suffering if taken to be real - if no "weight" is given to thoughts and "I" learn to let them come & go, then the suffering can be lessened. When grasping / attachment happens to stories / thoughts the suffering follows.

Dependant conditions are just another story, they don't exist, experiencing and experiencing alone is what is happening. "Dependant conditions" are words, a theory to explain how the world may operate.

"I'm" beginning to feel like "i'm" chasing my tail. if thoughts are written down on what experiencing & perception-ing is happening in response to question, "I" fall into a language trap.

nothing should be written at all. actions speak louder than words - so 'i" should just get on with what ever is happening, chop wood, eat when eating, sleep when sleeping… ?