Restless Soma
Death (the tumbling force, public) => The Cave => Topic started by: mayflow on March 18, 2008, 08:34:54 AM
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I'll add more later...
The Living Method of Turning the Light Around
Lu Yan
As you go along practicing turning the light around, you need not give up your normal occupation. An ancient said, “When matters come up, one should respond; when things come up, one should discern.” If you manage your affairs with accurate mindfulness, then the light is not overcome by things, so it will do to repeat this formless turning around of the light time and again. If you can look back again and again into the source of mind, whatever you are doing, not sticking to any image of person or self at all, then this is “turning the light around wherever you are.” This is the finest practice.
In the early morning, if you can clear all objects from your mind and sit quietly, that is best. Whenever you are engaged in work or dealing with people, just use this “looking back” technique, and there will be no interruption.
The Secret of Freedom
The essence of the great Way is to act purposefully without striving. Because of nonstriving, one does not cling to local conventions, forms, or images; but because of not striving yet acting purposefully, one does not fall into indifferent emptiness, dead voidness. The preceding talk of turning the light around points out a method for beginners to help them to attain independence.
Turning the light around is only the general term: with each level of progress in practice, the method of turning around becomes subtler.
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Sounds great Maynard. I can't wait for the rest of it. You've got me curious.
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When you want to enter quietude, first tune and concentrate body and mind, so that they are free and peaceful. Let go of all objects, so that nothing whatsoever hangs on your mind. After that lower your eyelids and gaze inward.
Now when you turn the light around to shine inward, the mind is not aroused by things. Next the coming and going is traceless.
Ordinarily, once people let their eyes and ears pursue things, they get stirred up, only to stop when things are gone. When you first practice turning the light around, your mind gets scattered or distracted, so you want to concentrate it. Once concentration is attained, you are naturally buoyant.
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When you want to enter quietude, first tune and concentrate body and mind, so that they are free and peaceful. Let go of all objects, so that nothing whatsoever hangs on your mind. After that lower your eyelids and gaze inward.
Now when you turn the light around to shine inward, the mind is not aroused by things. Next the coming and going is traceless.
Ordinarily, once people let their eyes and ears pursue things, they get stirred up, only to stop when things are gone. When you first practice turning the light around, your mind gets scattered or distracted, so you want to concentrate it. Once concentration is attained, you are naturally buoyant.
I agree.
Will comment more on this.......not as it's needed, just my personal experiences ;)
z