Nondual Wisdom Page 2
The following are excerpts from The Sacred Mirror: Nondual Wisdom and
Psychotherapy, Chapter 2, by Peter Fenner
Awakening the Unconditioned Mind
This model is based on the healing capacity of the unconditioned mind. The common element in nondual approaches to therapy is a focus on awakening an experience of the unconditioned mind for the therapist and client, and the on going cultivation of this experience.
The nondual approach to therapy invests in the healing power of the unconditioned mind. This approach is designed to awaken us to, and root us in, the ever-present experience of pure-bliss-consciousness.
Continuation point from page 1==>When we rest in the unconditioned mind, there is nothing we need. We are complete. Nothing needs to change. We are fulfilled exactly as we are. In the nondual approach it isn't necessary to remove thoughts or emotions in order to become free. When we are present to the unconditioned mind, thoughts, feelings and perceptions arise, but they no longer condition us.
Even though this sounds extraordinary, the unconditioned mind isn't something that is removed from our everyday life. It is an experience in which we discover total freedom in the midst of our conditioned existence.
It's a way of being in which our conditioning - our age, sex, history, education, physical condition, and financial situation - no longer limit us. We find ourselves intimately connected with everything within and around us, yet we're beyond being disturbed in any way. The nondual approach to therapy directs people to the experience of the unconditioned mind as a way of transcending suffering, and healing the psychological wounds of the past.
The function of nondual therapies is to introduce people to the unconditioned aspect of their existence, and then deepen and stabilize the experience.
Every mind touched by the experience of its unconditioned nature moves closer to the experience of real freedom and liberation. Sometimes the experience may gently encourage us to acknowledge our higher potential. In other instances it may produce a radical reorientation of our experience of reality.
We find ourselves moving effortlessly and without resistance into a more open and accepting way of being.
We recognize the value of the unconditioned mind and head straight to it when conditions support this. We don't waste time in petty distractions or superficial intellectualizations. We value the deep peace and spiritual nutrition we gain from abiding in the unconditioned mind. Our values and priorities change naturally. We grow in our capacity to accept more freedom, love, and happiness in our lives.
Nondual approaches to therapy invite us to be aware of our attachment and aversion to the present moment. Are we holding onto our experience, wishing that it would continue, or are we pushing it away and seeking something different?
The most direct way to create a more fulfilling future is by creating fulfillment in this moment.
In a nondual approach, therapists tune into the points where problems and heavy emotions begin to dissolve by themselves.
In therapy, therapist identify the core concept upon which a limiting story is constructed. They then inquire into the existence of the reality behind the concept and dissolve the painful feelings associated with fixed ways of thinking.
From the viewpoint of nondual therapy, what is most significant is not the structure or the details of the problem because we're always creating problems. We have this never-ending set of circumstances and memories we can draw upon to construct problems. What is significant is the fact that we are doing it. We are using the energy available to us, using our mind and emotions, to construct a problem. We are constructing that something is happening that shouldn't be happening.
We share with the client that, from our own perspective, we have a very real experience that there is actually nothing wrong with what is happening. We are unperturbed. There is no problem.
[In other words, the problem isn't the experience you're having, it is your relationship within yourself with the experience you're having. jvs]
On Inquiry - With nondual wisdom there is nothing to believe. All you need to know is what you can find out for yourself. Look within and ask yourself, "Do I exist?"
The answer to that question is, "Yes, I exist, I know I exist." You don't have to believe anything to know that!
The next question is, "So now that I 'know' I exist, who or what am I?"
Whatever answer you get, such as I am a teacher, student, mother, father, etc., ask yourself, "Is that all of who I am?" The answer to that is, "No." So then ask again, "Who or what am I?"
Keep doing that until the mind gives up.
The mind can't know who you are, or what it is, because what you are is bigger than the mind, itself. The thinking mind is limited to the world of beliefs and what you are can't be confined or understood as a belief.
Felt-Sense - Developing a felt-sense is an opportunity to find out for yourself what is true for you in this moment. This is not something you are told or understand - not a concept - it is something you 'know' or feel. What you feel is a higher vibration and is felt as 'the body feeling the body.' Higher vibrations are the point at which awareness, consciousness, attention become one. Lower vibrations, on the other hand, are not felt as easily. They are experienced as reactions, projections or reflections.
Low vibrations - meat, alcohol.
Low vibrations - want to sustain themselves.
Low vibrations - addictions, desires, neediness.
Low vibrations - worry, chasing tail, overeating.
High vibrations - present moment, now.
High vibrations - acceptance of what is.
Thinking Thought vs. Awareness Thought
There is a difference between thinking thought and awareness thought.
Thinking thought is circular, comes from itself and regenerates itself. Awareness thought comes directly from consciousness and is informed by Presence. Thinking thought tries to find the answer - tries to 'figure-things-out.' Awareness thought lets the answer come to it.
Thinking thought will force the issue, make new combinations of known information, and will be influenced by all things small - desire, expectation, and outcome. Thinking thought gets an answer for the sake of getting an answer. As a defense mechanism, it is used to protect or enhance the "little me" or false self.
Awareness thought is subtle and open to possibilities. Answers may not come quickly, may not be logical or rational, and may not be what one wants-or-thinks-should-be. Because it is fed by consciousness, it is always alive, new and evolved. Awareness thought is creativity itself.
Awakening the Unconditioned Mind
This model is based on the healing capacity of the unconditioned mind. The common element in nondual approaches to therapy is a focus on awakening an experience of the unconditioned mind for the therapist and client, and the on going cultivation of this experience.
The nondual approach to therapy invests in the healing power of the unconditioned mind. This approach is designed to awaken us to, and root us in, the ever-present experience of pure-bliss-consciousness.
Continuation point from page 1==>When we rest in the unconditioned mind, there is nothing we need. We are complete. Nothing needs to change. We are fulfilled exactly as we are. In the nondual approach it isn't necessary to remove thoughts or emotions in order to become free. When we are present to the unconditioned mind, thoughts, feelings and perceptions arise, but they no longer condition us.
Even though this sounds extraordinary, the unconditioned mind isn't something that is removed from our everyday life. It is an experience in which we discover total freedom in the midst of our conditioned existence.
It's a way of being in which our conditioning - our age, sex, history, education, physical condition, and financial situation - no longer limit us. We find ourselves intimately connected with everything within and around us, yet we're beyond being disturbed in any way. The nondual approach to therapy directs people to the experience of the unconditioned mind as a way of transcending suffering, and healing the psychological wounds of the past.
The function of nondual therapies is to introduce people to the unconditioned aspect of their existence, and then deepen and stabilize the experience.
Every mind touched by the experience of its unconditioned nature moves closer to the experience of real freedom and liberation. Sometimes the experience may gently encourage us to acknowledge our higher potential. In other instances it may produce a radical reorientation of our experience of reality.
We find ourselves moving effortlessly and without resistance into a more open and accepting way of being.
We recognize the value of the unconditioned mind and head straight to it when conditions support this. We don't waste time in petty distractions or superficial intellectualizations. We value the deep peace and spiritual nutrition we gain from abiding in the unconditioned mind. Our values and priorities change naturally. We grow in our capacity to accept more freedom, love, and happiness in our lives.
Nondual approaches to therapy invite us to be aware of our attachment and aversion to the present moment. Are we holding onto our experience, wishing that it would continue, or are we pushing it away and seeking something different?
The most direct way to create a more fulfilling future is by creating fulfillment in this moment.
In a nondual approach, therapists tune into the points where problems and heavy emotions begin to dissolve by themselves.
In therapy, therapist identify the core concept upon which a limiting story is constructed. They then inquire into the existence of the reality behind the concept and dissolve the painful feelings associated with fixed ways of thinking.
From the viewpoint of nondual therapy, what is most significant is not the structure or the details of the problem because we're always creating problems. We have this never-ending set of circumstances and memories we can draw upon to construct problems. What is significant is the fact that we are doing it. We are using the energy available to us, using our mind and emotions, to construct a problem. We are constructing that something is happening that shouldn't be happening.
We share with the client that, from our own perspective, we have a very real experience that there is actually nothing wrong with what is happening. We are unperturbed. There is no problem.
[In other words, the problem isn't the experience you're having, it is your relationship within yourself with the experience you're having. jvs]
On Inquiry - With nondual wisdom there is nothing to believe. All you need to know is what you can find out for yourself. Look within and ask yourself, "Do I exist?"
The answer to that question is, "Yes, I exist, I know I exist." You don't have to believe anything to know that!
The next question is, "So now that I 'know' I exist, who or what am I?"
Whatever answer you get, such as I am a teacher, student, mother, father, etc., ask yourself, "Is that all of who I am?" The answer to that is, "No." So then ask again, "Who or what am I?"
Keep doing that until the mind gives up.
The mind can't know who you are, or what it is, because what you are is bigger than the mind, itself. The thinking mind is limited to the world of beliefs and what you are can't be confined or understood as a belief.
Felt-Sense - Developing a felt-sense is an opportunity to find out for yourself what is true for you in this moment. This is not something you are told or understand - not a concept - it is something you 'know' or feel. What you feel is a higher vibration and is felt as 'the body feeling the body.' Higher vibrations are the point at which awareness, consciousness, attention become one. Lower vibrations, on the other hand, are not felt as easily. They are experienced as reactions, projections or reflections.
Low vibrations - meat, alcohol.
Low vibrations - want to sustain themselves.
Low vibrations - addictions, desires, neediness.
Low vibrations - worry, chasing tail, overeating.
High vibrations - present moment, now.
High vibrations - acceptance of what is.
Thinking Thought vs. Awareness Thought
There is a difference between thinking thought and awareness thought.
Thinking thought is circular, comes from itself and regenerates itself. Awareness thought comes directly from consciousness and is informed by Presence. Thinking thought tries to find the answer - tries to 'figure-things-out.' Awareness thought lets the answer come to it.
Thinking thought will force the issue, make new combinations of known information, and will be influenced by all things small - desire, expectation, and outcome. Thinking thought gets an answer for the sake of getting an answer. As a defense mechanism, it is used to protect or enhance the "little me" or false self.
Awareness thought is subtle and open to possibilities. Answers may not come quickly, may not be logical or rational, and may not be what one wants-or-thinks-should-be. Because it is fed by consciousness, it is always alive, new and evolved. Awareness thought is creativity itself.