Contemplation...

Instructions for Practicing Effortless
Contemplation

Step one. Preliminaries

1. If you are able to, sit in your normal meditation posture. If your illness prevents this, or makes it too difficult, assume the most comfortable position you can.



2. Focus on your breath or some other meditation object to stabilize your attention.



3. After a few minutes, cease to focus on any particular object and practice "choiceless awareness," simply observing whatever objects arise and pass in Consciousness. Notice the following about each object:

· It is impermanent.

· It has no existence apart from Consciousness Itself.

· Being a form of Consciousness, it is transparent to It.

Step two: Being reminded

Note: You can either read the following reminders yourself, or have

someone read them to you. In either case, they should be read slowly, giving you a chance to contemplate each one before going on to the next.

1. Without fixing your attention on anything, just consider:



Is there consciousness of sights? Is there consciousness of sounds?

Is there consciousness of sensations? Is there consciousness of feelings? Is there consciousness of tin nights?

This very Consciousness, which is here right now, is that eternal, self-luminous Reality you have been striving to Realize all along. Since this Consciousness is already here, your striving is unnecessary.

2. Abandon all concepts about your experience and simply observe:



See how appearances arise in Consciousness. Since, whatever appears is already present, how can it be avoided?



See how appearances pass in Consciousness. Since whatever has passed is no longer present, how can it be grasped?



See how everything appears without the least obstruction. Since nothing obstructs appearances, there are no obstacles to be removed.



See how everything passes without the least hindrance. Since everything is self-liberating, there is nothing to be set free.



Relax into this effortless contemplation of how things actually are.

3. Without making any adjustments, continue to observe:



Although you say, "forms arise in Consciousness,"

can you really separate Consciousness from its forms?

Is not Consciousness like an ocean, and forms its waves?



Because Consciousness and forms are ultimately inseparable, duality never existed: How then can it he transcended?

Although you say "I am aware of such-and-such an object," can you truly distinguish between your self and the object? Where does `self' end and the `object' begin?

Because subject and object are, in reality, indistinguishable, delusion never originated. How then can it be dispelled?



4. Look! Reality is staring you right in the face:

5. You say, you cannot eliminate your `self' but there is no `self' to eliminate.



You say, you have not attained "Enlightenment," but there is not the slightest thing to attain.

You say, "I am ignorant of my true identity"

but how can this be? What else is there,

besides this infinite, eternal, non-dual

field of Consciousness-and-form which is already present, right here and now.. and now.. and now..

Therefore, surrender all desire for attainment and just be what you are: Consciousness Itself!



Step three: Practicing without formal reminders

Once you have gotten used to contemplating in this way, it is sufficient to remember these three basic rules:

· Do not grasp anything;

· Do not reject anything;

· Be whatever is.

This applies particularly to situations where you experience states of exceptional clarity, or have feelings of great bliss, or profound insights. Such experiences will generate thoughts like: "Ah, this is Gnosis! Now, I am definitely Enlightened!" But as clarity gives way to confusion, bliss to frustration, and profound insights to mental chatter, you will think: "Now, I have lost my Enlightenment and become deluded once again. How depressing!" When this happens you must remember that Enlightenment is not a `place' in which to settle, nor is Gnosis a `state' that needs to be maintained. All experiences, all

feelings, all states—whether sacred or mundane—are by their very nature transient and ephemeral. Without making any attempt either to hold on to them or push them away, simply remain identified with Consciousness Itself, and continue to practice effortlessly.




Through Death's Gate
A Guide to Selfless Dying
Joel Morwood
Center for Sacred Sciences
Eugene, OR 97401