This is the eighth audio guide of the "clarity" series – Listen and look.
Can one listen and look with full attention? For most people, when listening and looking, thoughts are already running, and the mind is concentrating: evaluating, imaging, analyzing, comparing, associating, the mind is functioning in a partial way, actually, the mind is not listening or looking at all.
Full attention means that the mind must be aware of the movement of thought – evaluating, imaging, analyzing, comparing, associating and all the rest of it, so the mind is not carried away by thoughts, only then is the mind able to listen and look, giving all the energy to this moment.
Communication only exists when the mind is giving full attention – the mind is functioning totally not partially; or else, the mind is trapped in its own self-projection and illusion.
This internet world is based on the illusion of connection, but actually amplifies the disconnection and isolation; the mind becomes unprecedentedly fragmented.
Only when the mind is actually listening and looking, the mind is not isolated by illusion, and such a mind is able to come upon the truth – the ultimate clarity.
This requires tremendous observation and diligence, and all of those embody the true mediation – the total understanding of living.
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.
