The Experiential Platform, Part 2

Following on from yesterday's posting, what we discover when we entice the mind into reacting to arising experiences is the sense of self. We are, in essence, watching the mind create "I," "me," and "mine" in front of our eyes. Well, not really in front of our eyes, but this phenomenon is definitely perceivable by our sensory awareness.

For example, a sound arises, which is essentially a neutral experience and contains no self at all. Yet as soon as the mind perceives the sound, it jumps in with a name for the sound, and then a preference of like or dislike, and so forth. In other words, it creates a self where there is no self.

Through the practice of observing and participating with the mind as it creates self, we can then be more attuned to this experience in daily life. When we are more aware of how the mind habitually reacts to things as I, me, and mine, then we have a chance to be able to make a more skillful and effective choice as to how to deal with situations as they happen.

Blessings,
Roger