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Tag: meditative practice

  • Finding Healing in the Fires Within: Shifting from the Ordinary Mind to the Pristine Mind with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

    Finding Healing in the Fires Within: Shifting from the Ordinary Mind to the Pristine Mind with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

    Discover how the quiet fire of the pristine mind can soothe the restless blaze of chronic fatigue, offering a path to inner peace and gentle transformation.

    I sit here today, tenderly aware of a fire burning within me—not the feverish blaze of energy or ambition, but a fire that comes with chronic fatigue, a fire that seems to consume my energy, that feeds on thoughts of worry, longing, frustration. This fire has been with me for as long as I’ve known this illness, and for many years, it seemed the fire was all I had—scorching, demanding, leaving me exhausted.

    But in recent days, I’ve come to see a new way of being with this fire, a gentle shift. There are, I believe, two fires within: one that belongs to the ordinary mind and another that belongs to the pristine mind.

    The fire of the ordinary mind is a hungry, restless flame. It feeds on what we give it—thoughts, fears, the inner whisper of “not enough.” It clings to the past and worries for the future, each thought a piece of wood thrown into the blaze, each worry an ember reignited. It takes, and takes, and when I stay too long with this fire, I feel myself slipping into exhaustion, my strength given over to a fire that never settles, never finds rest.

    And yet, there is another fire. It is quieter, calmer, like the deep glow of coals after the flames have settled. This is the fire of the pristine mind. It does not demand fuel; it simply is. It does not need anything from me, nor does it take. Instead, it offers a kind of sacred purification. It allows the impressions, the pratyayas, those old echoes of worry, disappointment, expectation, to rise up, to be seen, and then to burn themselves out gently, naturally, leaving a clean, quiet space in their wake.

    When I find myself caught in the ordinary fire—my mind racing, my heart feeling heavy—I take a breath and remember that there is another way. I sit with my awareness, letting go of each thought, letting each worry pass without adding to it. I let the flames burn low, and, slowly, I shift to the fire of the pristine mind, where each thought that arises can dissolve without reaction. I do not need to hold on to any of it, nor fuel it. In this place, I am simply present, letting what arises pass without attachment.

    This is, I’ve come to believe, a healing fire. Not a fire that consumes, but one that illuminates. When I rest here, I feel myself soften, as though I am held in a vast quiet. The pratyayas, those ancient patterns, have no hold here. They are seen, and then they drift away like ashes.

    Perhaps, if you too feel that restless blaze within, you can find this other fire. Sit with yourself, as gently as you would sit with a friend, and watch each thought arise and drift away. Do not reach to hold it, to make it stay, or to change it. Let it come, and let it go. Rest in the calm glow of the pristine mind, where there is nothing to fuel and nothing to fear. In this quiet, you are enough, you are whole.

    This journey, I realize, is very much a work in progress. Shifting from the ordinary fire to the pristine fire is not a one-time practice but an ongoing exploration—a gentle unfolding that reveals itself with patience and time. I invite anyone who feels drawn to this process, who wishes to explore this gentle technology of the mind, to sit with it and see if it offers benefit. Let it be an experiment, a curiosity, a way of tending to your inner world.

    This understanding has been inspired by the teachings in Our Pristine Mind by Orgyen Chowang Rinpoche. His work offers a profound look into the nature of the mind and the potential for peace that lies within each of us. If you feel drawn to explore this practice further, I highly recommend his book. It provides both guidance and wisdom for those seeking to discover the healing light of their own pristine mind.

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  • Neti Neti Series No. 8: Embracing Amusement as a Sign of Growing Detachment

    Neti Neti Series No. 8: Embracing Amusement as a Sign of Growing Detachment

    Question:

    During my recent practice, something new occurred. Instead of feeling disturbed by the usual mental events, memories, and thoughts, I found myself experiencing a sense of amusement and relaxation as they arose and passed away. It was as if I could observe the busyness of my mind with a lighthearted detachment, seeing these thoughts as just part of the mind’s activity. Is this sense of amusement a positive development in my practice, or is it just another mental event to be noticed and let go?

    Dear friend,

    What a beautiful shift you have experienced in your practice! The transition from feeling disturbed by the mind’s activities to watching them with a sense of amusement is indeed a significant one, and it speaks to the deepening of your understanding and awareness.

    You have touched upon a subtle but profound truth: that the mind, in its busyness, is simply doing what it has always done—arising and passing away, presenting thoughts, memories, and experiences. And now, rather than being entangled in these mental events, you observe them with a light heart, a sense of amusement. This amusement is not trivial; it is a reflection of your growing detachment, your ability to see the mind’s activities for what they are—transient phenomena that do not define you.

    This sense of relaxation that accompanies the amusement is a sign of your deepening practice. No longer do you resist or try to control the flow of thoughts. Instead, you allow them to arise and pass away, knowing that they are but fleeting ripples on the surface of a much deeper stillness. This relaxation is the fruit of your perseverance, a gentle release that allows you to rest more fully in the present moment.

    While it is true that amusement is itself a mental event, it is one that points toward equanimity—a state of balance where the mind’s activities are met with calm and openness, rather than resistance or attachment. This is a significant step on your journey, as it reflects a mind that is beginning to find peace amidst the fluctuations of thought and feeling. You are learning to greet whatever arises not with annoyance or disturbance, but with a kind of playful acceptance.

    Indeed, dear friend, this experience is a step in the right direction. It shows that your practice is maturing, leading you to a place where the mind’s busyness no longer holds the same sway over you. You are learning to watch the mind with a sense of lightness, knowing that its activities are not a reflection of your true self, but simply the passing clouds of thought that move across the sky of your awareness.

    Continue with this practice, allowing the amusement and relaxation to guide you further into the stillness that lies beneath all mental activity. Trust in the process, and know that you are moving ever closer to the peace and clarity that are your true nature.

    🙏🕊️🙏



  • Embracing the Simplicity of Self-Inquiry: A Path to Peace and Clarity

    For many of us on the spiritual path, the journey of self-inquiry can be filled with doubts and uncertainties. We often ask ourselves, “Am I doing it right? Is this really the way?” These questions can become stumbling blocks, creating tension and distracting us from the very essence of the practice. But what if the path is simpler than we’ve been led to believe? What if the true practice is not about complex techniques or perfecting a method, but simply about turning our attention toward the awareness of the felt sense of “I”?

    The Discovery: Simplicity in Practice

    Recently, I experienced a profound realization that has transformed my approach to self-inquiry. In a meditation session, I used the word “I” as a mantra, gently repeating it to maintain a connection with the felt sense of the “I-sense.” During this session, I noticed that my vrittis (mental fluctuations) were fairly stable, and my mind was less concerned with whether I was “doing it right.” What struck me was the simplicity of the practice—just maintaining an awareness of the felt sense of “I.”

    For years, I struggled with doubts, always questioning if I was practicing correctly. But this session revealed a powerful truth: the practice of self-inquiry is inherently simple. It’s about turning your attention inward, toward the awareness of the “I-sense,” and staying with that awareness. That’s it. There’s no need for complexity or overthinking. The essence of the practice is to be aware of awareness itself.

    Staying Grounded in Awareness

    As I continued with the practice, I found that when pain or discomfort arose, I didn’t need to get distracted or caught up in it. Instead, I reminded myself, “No, I am the awareness of that pain.” Similarly, when thoughts arose, I could say, “No, I am the awareness of those thoughts.” By continually returning to the felt sense of being the awareness, I maintained a steady focus, and the practice unfolded naturally.

    This simple shift—recognizing that I am the awareness of whatever arises—brought a deep sense of peace and clarity. It allowed me to relax into the practice, letting go of the years of doubt and tension that had built up. The realization that “I am the awareness” became a grounding truth, one that has made my practice more accessible and effective.

    Sharing This Simplicity with Others

    The beauty of this discovery is that it can save others from the years of wondering if they’re doing it right or wrong. The simplicity of the practice—turning your attention toward the awareness of the “I-sense”—is something that anyone can do. It doesn’t require advanced techniques or complicated instructions. It’s about gently guiding your attention back to the awareness of awareness itself, no matter what arises.

    This practice, while simple, takes time to unfold. It’s not about achieving immediate results or reaching a final destination. It’s about consistently returning to that felt sense of “I” and allowing the practice to deepen naturally. Over time, this simplicity leads to profound insights and a more stable, peaceful mind.

    Conclusion: Embrace the Simplicity

    If you’ve been struggling with doubts or feeling overwhelmed by the complexities of spiritual practice, I invite you to embrace the simplicity of self-inquiry. Just turn your attention toward the awareness of the felt sense of “I.” When distractions arise, remind yourself, “I am the awareness of that.” By maintaining this awareness, you are already engaging in the practice. There’s no need to complicate it—just be present with the awareness, and let the journey unfold.

    In this simplicity, there is a profound peace, a clarity that comes from knowing that you are on the right path. You are not wasting your time; you are practicing. And that practice, in its beautiful simplicity, is enough.

    The video below is the source of the inspiration for the content of this blog. If you’d like to get direct teaching from Swamiji on this topic, I encourage you to watch the video and deepen your understanding.