Levels of Consciousness vs. Pure Consciousness

[Ariel]

Use this thread to discuss the following blog post:

Levels of Consciousness vs. Pure Consciousness

[Jinzang]

In Tibetan there are two separate words for consciousness (rnams shes) and pure consciousness (rigpa). Rigpa usually gets translated as awareness, so that the distinction between the two is clear. Consciousness consists of our perceptions of the outer world through our senses, as well as the perception of our inward world of feelings and emotions. Awareness is our perception of consciousness itself. Sometimes to make this clear the term self-awareness (rang rig) is used.

I'm delighted that Avery is talking about such subjects as the nature of pure consciousness. It seems that the Woodstock Generation took a big interest in Eastern spirituality, but the following generation did not. Now that interest has been reborn in the rising generation. But with the difference that the understanding which only came with great difficulty to my generation seems to come much more quickly to the new one. When talking to young people on the internet, I'm sometimes surprised by how quickly they have understood profound truths. I'm happy that Avery is sharing his understanding here and I wish him every success. May there be ten thousand more like him so that we can turn this sad old world around.

Adyashanti fans should know that the second part of his interview with Buddhist Geeks is now on their site: I’m Not Babysitting Your Ego.

[CaterpillarWoman]

Regardless of how hard we try to be conscious, is consciousness not effortlessly conscious already?

The comment I wanted to make is that the idea of "trying to be conscious" is like a kid "trying to be mature". Maturity is not something you can fake. If you're a green tomato, you're a green tomato, you can't fake being red. In some cases, we can ape what we THINK maturity is like, but it's not really maturity, it's just what we think "mature" people are like.

Any attempt to "be more conscious" is the same thing. What is "conscious" and how can you "be" it unless you really are BEING it?

[Ariel]

I'm delighted that Avery is talking about such subjects as the nature of pure consciousness.

lol, me too! Go Avery!

...who's that?

Adyashanti fans should know that the second part of his interview with Buddhist Geeks is now on their site: I’m Not Babysitting Your Ego.

Thank you for this! Part 1 was awesome and I'm listening to part 2 now.

[Jinzang]

Sorry to get your name wrong, that's embarrassing. My computer has spell check, but not "don't write stupid sh*t check." But I do mean the rest of the post.

[Jimmy]

Consciousness appears unchanging. When I drive by my childhood home, which is just a few blocks from my office, there is this realization. There was this 10 year old boy with 10 year old thoughts, yet a background consciousness which is the same now as it was then. Exactly the same. Unchanging.

[Jinzang]

Coincidentally, a speaker gave a talk today at work on managing different generations at work and the attitudes each generation had towards life. The three current generations are boomers (age 49-65), generation x (29-49) and millennials (6-29). Boomers are oriented towards self-actualization: "be all you can be" and changing the system. Generation X is individualistic, oriented toward survival, and working around the system. Millennials are idealistic, self-confident, group focused, oriented towards achievement, and working within the system.

In terms of spiritual practice, to appeal to boomers you would talk about fulfilling their potential. To appeal Gen X-ers, you would emphasize the personal benefits they would get from practice and how they could quickly verify how practice works in their own lives. And to appeal to Millennials, you would emphasize making the world a better place.

One problem the Millennial generation has is that the multi-tasking they do makes it hard for them to focus on a single task. Khenpo Konchog told the story of passing a man in the airport who was juggling two cell phones, a music player, and a laptop computer. Millennials will not meditate facing a wall for nine years like Bodhidharma.

[Marko]

"Pure consciousness itself. Does it change?"

Consciousness may not change, but our "awareness" of it does. That's part of the lucid dream game we choose to play coming here it seems to me.

Physicality is a game we choose to play in the field of consciousness and awareness.
There are many levels to play in, experiment in.

Having good tools to manage better in the game seems a good thing. Most people prefer to feel good than not good as a whole. Including feeling good in not feeling good when appropriate, like when a friend, family member, pet or animal companion dies.

One tool is to enjoy the journey as much as the end result we are striving for. It makes it more win win and when we reach our end result or something like that, we create more to enjoy and challenge ourselves with.

[Jinzang]

Having good tools to manage better in the game seems a good thing.

Maybe I'm not following your meaning, but this sounds a lot like taking the blue pill in The Matrix. I don't want to play the game better. I'd rather get out of the game.

You take the blue pill - the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill - you stay in Wonderland and I show you how deep the rabbit-hole goes.

[Ariel]

Well put Jinzang. This isn't about dreaming a better dream, but recognizing one's timeless eternal nature and recognizing THAT as the dream continues to unfold nonetheless.