could i have help please

[mike-b]

Hi John,

Just curious - do you think you'll be continuing with the Dzogchen practice? And if so, is it 'Mike' that is carrying on?

I really don't know, at the start of this dialogue i would have said definitely yes, but as i have been letting go of Mike i have practiced less and less. although i have always thought that Dzogchen could provide me with answers, but unfortunately,(as seems to be the case with everything you ask me) i don't know, but i do know that if i do it will not be MIke that is doing it.

How would you describe awareness?

As i have said before, i'm not brilliant at describing my feelings etc. but in the past, all of the fruits of my sitting meditation, that i could only maintain for a short time is what i am now able to hold onto for longer and longer periods of the day, it's as if i am learning to meditate as i carry on with my daily activities if that makes sense, being without thoughts as i carry on with my life is like a drug, the more i do it, the more i need it

You write, "i know that i am responsible for all of my actions and thoughts but unfortunately struggle with how this works".

In this case, who would be responsible? Mike?

.

There is no Mike! but i am confused as to whether, without a created 'self' there still a mind, are all of the actions of 'mind' a part of 'Mike' this is what i have been struggling with for some time, and why i can't understand the mechanics of choice amongst other things, if it is a created mind that is responsible for all of my thoughts and actions, then without it i must use instinct to decide on a course of action, in which case, (apart from the fear of Karma) i am free to do anything i please, above reproach!

I really don't know if any of this makes sense, but here we go!

Mike

[s-p-a-c-e]

Hi Mike,

Really appreciate the honest replies!

Another interesting one :) How would you describe mind? Is mind responsible for thoughts and actions?

Have a look - see what shows up.

Thanks,
John

[mike-b]

HI john,

How would you describe mind? Is mind responsible for thoughts and actions?

Yes, i do believe mind is responsible for thoughts and actions. It is something that i have given a lot of thought, as i have been struggling with the relationship between mind and conciousness.
I believe now that 'mind' is responsible for presenting us with different options and courses of action, depending on the circumstances, but i don't believe that mind decides which path to take, that is down to us.
I have to admit that this question has been very taxing for me, it seems such an easy question but i found it very hard to answer

Mike

[s-p-a-c-e]

Thank you Mike.

If you were to find mind, could you do so?
What is there when paying attention to what are called "thought" and "sensations" and "feelings"?
Is there a mind to speak of in ordinary experience?

Best wishes,
John

[mike-b]

Hello John,

If you were to find mind, could you do so?

No,

What is there when paying attention to what are called "thought" and "sensations" and "feelings"?

Nothing

Is there a mind to speak of in ordinary experience?

No

Mike

[s-p-a-c-e]

Hi Mike,

Have a proper look at this. The response must come from you looking. The notion that mind is responsible for thoughts and actions. If you look and cannot find a mind, it just means that we have this abstracted idea "mind" which is taken as true - but we look at our experience - all we notice thoughts, feelings, sensations.

So what of responsibility? If you take the simplest example of "having responsibility" for something - watch like a hawk and see if there is anything we can pin responsibility on.

Thanks Mike!
/john

[mike-b]

Hi John,

I have looked very closely and i cannot find a mind, although i must admit i do enjoy the looking :)

So what of responsibility? If you take the simplest example of "having responsibility" for something - watch like a hawk and see if there is anything we can pin responsibility on.

Likewise with responsibility, nothing to pin it on,

Mike

[s-p-a-c-e]

Good work Mike.

Given where you are now with what you have seen, what are the expectations for the Dzogchen practice?
What is your sense of rigpa now?

Best wishes,
John

[mike-b]

Hi John,

What is your sense of rigpa now?

I must admit that prior to our dialogue, i wasn't sure what rigpa was and was expecting that once 'tasted' all of my questions would be answered and i would be at my journeys end,
I now realize that i am actually experiencing rigpa now, and that it is an altered state of consciousness that i must work to deepen and maintain for longer periods.

Given where you are now with what you have seen, what are the expectations for the Dzogchen practice?

If i can deepen my 'awareness', and i know that i can with practice, and i except that there is no 'self' and no mind to speak of, i now wonder if my Dzogchen practice is actually worth following as it is a means to experiencing rigpa, which i seem to be doing already.
The only 'pull' i have to Dzogchen is that it may answer questions i have.

Thank you,

Mike

[s-p-a-c-e]

Hi Mike,

Just read this question and write what first comes:

How do you know that the separate self is an illusion?

Cheers!
John

[mike-b]

Hi John,

How do you know that the separate self is an illusion?

Because it is now gone, but nothing is missing, if that makes sense

Mike

[s-p-a-c-e]

Hi Mike,

Hi John,

How do you know that the separate self is an illusion?

Because it is now gone, but nothing is missing, if that makes sense

Yep. Ok, now if I was to ask you: how do you know beyond all doubt its gone :) - what's the first thing you'd say?

Happy Sunday!
John

[mike-b]

Hi John,

Yep. Ok, now if I was to ask you: how do you know beyond all doubt its gone :) - what's the first thing you'd say?

Because it never existed in the first place

Mike

[s-p-a-c-e]

Hi Mike,

Nice. :) Now, does this "Mike" still show up in life - if so, what is the experience of that, and response, if any.

Good work.

Best wishes,
John

[mike-b]

Hi John,

does this "Mike" still show up in life - if so, what is the experience of that, and response, if any.

Hardly ever now, the more i stay 'present' the less i see of Mike, if he does appear, it is when there are a few of us together in the canteen, but as i say it is very seldom now.

Mike