Source Text
Chapter Two The Emptiness of Emptiness
When so-called empty space is understood to be the ether, the pranically-charged, subtle-realm medium that lies between, and connects, the Divine Realm and the material world, then a proper theosophical understanding of the “structure” of the All is possible.
Nirvana is not a matter of seeing all existents as empty, as free from the “extremes” of inherent existence and nihilistic non-existence. Moreover, Nirvana cannot be “seen” because it is not an object. Nirvana, as Gautama defines it, is the drying up of the outflows, the defilements that perpetuate samsara (or becoming). Nirvana is the end of becoming; therefore, it is Being, which, relative to a bodhisattva, is awakened timeless, spaceless Awareness.
The mind is not consciousness itself. Consciousness, the essence of Being, is a universal constant that exists prior to and beyond thought. The mind is a function or application of consciousness that enables you to mentally understand the universe you live in.
Be totally present (and plugged-in) and then utterly absent, so you become a conscious, but empty, cup, ready to receive the Gift, the poured-down Spirit, the electrical-like Bliss-current from above.
When the Heart-knot is cut, Anugraha-Shakti transmutes into Hridaya (or Heart)-Shakti, as the Self-awakened yogi now radiates, rather than just receives, Blessing/Blissing Light-Energy.
THE NUTS AND BOLTS OF PRACTICE Q: Do you have specific recommendations for the practice of Self-enquiry? A: Yes. First, instead of disidentifying from the body, be present as the whole body. When you are organismically present, you are integrally present, which is the optimal asana, or position, from which to initiate the enquiry. Consciously feel yourself as the whole body and be present to existence as a single, undivided entity. Then begin the enquiry. Although, ultimately, you are timeless, spaceless Being, by being present as
the whole body, you imbue your practice with consciousness-force, which will enable you to more quickly progress with the enquiry.
If thoughts cease and you encounter silence or emptiness, enquire, “Who sees the emptiness?” Eventually, your practice will generate enough consciousness-force to make the emptiness “dance,” to “come alive” as Shakti.
Periodically relax your bodymind and totally let go, being as if dead. This “unconditional surrender” is the perfect yin complement to the yang practice of intense enquiry. Alternating yin effortlessness (akin to ohms reduction) with yang enquiry (akin to voltage) is the optimal way to generate maximal Shakti, or Spirit-current (akin to amperage). The way to the Self is via Anugraha-Shakti, the Spirit-current that is sucked into the Heart-center. And by alternating effortlessness with enquiry, you will, at some point, awaken (and thenceforth be able to evoke) Anugraha-Shakti, the “Flow of Grace” that unveils the Self in the Heart-center.
AI Summary
Zen Mind, Thinker’s Mind by L. Ron Gardner presents key insights from the Zen tradition. The 10 passages above capture the essential teachings.
Core Themes:
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Key Passages: Highlights 1, 3, and 10 are particularly representative.
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