This is the seventh audio guide of the "clarity" series – feel, not think about something.
This audio guides the mind to feel, which is in the unknown, not to think about something, which is in the known.
This self-centred consciousness activity is endless and full of thoughts; thoughts have permeated into almost every corner of living, which means that life has been tightly controlled by thoughts, as is happening in daily living.
Food, for example, has become such a topic in consciousness; the mind keeps talking about the subtle taste, nutrition, the name of the food materials, calories and even all kinds of memories about it, in that talking, the mind is deriving pleasure from the consciousness activity, not actually enjoying the food; only a mind in full attention can enjoy the food, or else the consciousness takes over, the mind is into the thoughts – all kinds of control, which can easily lead to an eating disorder (like overweight and underweight), which is the issue of thoughts, not the eating itself.
When the mind is in full attention, it is impossible for the mind to overeat or undereat; on the opposite, when the mind is trapped in thoughts, the mind has no self-awareness, and overeating and undereating become common.
To feel, not to think about something needs one to let go of the thoughts, the attachment, or else, the mind is always trapped in thoughts.
What are the audio guides of the clarity series for?
These audio guides are for anyone who is new to meditation and self-inquiry or anyone who would like to review the technique for a deeper understanding. The audio guides are to guide the mind to have a taste of "full attention", which is the key to understanding everything clearly.
This world has been taken over by thoughts, where all kinds of absurdities abound. The mind is trapped in thoughts, which means the mind is in concentration, which is also isolation. Full attention means that the mind is fully aware of everything without being trapped in thoughts; it should have been the normal quality of the mind, but civilization, which is a product of thoughts, has imprisoned and conditioned the mind. The mind is totally confused with its endless issues, therefore some techniques might be useful to help the isolated mind experience "full attention".
What is the relation between the audio guides and inner exploration?
Audio guides are not absolutely necessary, they might be helpful to guide the busy and inexperienced mind to come back to full attention, especially when the mind is isolated by thoughts and reactions.
Please don't be attached to these audio guides; free to use and free not to use. Full attention comes from a total understanding of living and one's diligence in observing and being aware at each moment.
Be aware of your intention behind using the audio guides; don't expect them to bring peace to you, which can be a trap. When you use the audio guides, could you just follow the audio guide, and just do it without any purpose?
When the mind has a purpose, the mind is no longer free, and attachment can be easily formed.
How to use the audio guides?
People may have different reactions to Cico's voice in the audio guide, it is essential to notice the reaction to the voice. The reaction comes from the accumulated judgments, opinions, tendencies, and preferences, which are all thoughts processes. Can one open the heart by being aware of the reactions and letting go of them?
Cico's first language is not English, and he may not use English in the way one expects in one's environment, can one notice the reaction to words that brings the hurdle and obstacle not only in this audio guide but also in daily life?
Having this awareness is already part of meditation.
