Awareness of awareness itself

Post here if you have been practising for a while, and you are starting to get your head around what this is all about. Also post here if you are a long-term practitioner with something to say about the practice.
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Peter
Site Admin
Posts: 696
Practice Mindfulness Since: 19 Aug 2013
Location: The Netherlands

Fri Mar 11, 2016 10:50 am  

Good day my friends,

This morning I've been biking. Here in the Netherlands, the sun is shining, the lawns are being mowed; I love that smell. I love this day. I love everybody and everything today.

About that:

Some days one is struggling to be aware and some days it's a piece of cake. For me, today everything just clicks; awareness wise.

O, how I love these days. I'm not longing for this feeling though. I just take it as it comes. I'm fine with every day, because the different challenges they present I can learn from. Nothing to learn if it's always bliss.

I love how this natural awareness feels; a sense of calm and flow. But most importantly, days like this give extra space; the freedom to explore. No need to put a lot of effort in getting one out of one's thinking.

Today I've been exploring 'awareness of awareness itself'. It's amazing how this level of awareness feels. Actually being at that level of awareness, not understanding the concept of it, but being there, everything becomes 'still' instantly. There's a real sense of peace, understanding and compassion! (disclaimer: this is my personal experience)

Have a great day!

Peter

JonW
Team Member
Posts: 2897
Practice Mindfulness Since: 08 Dec 2012
Location: In a field, somewhere

Fri Mar 11, 2016 11:18 am  

Lovely post, Peter.
I had a similar feeling of resting in awareness half an hour ago, on the edge of Hove lagoon. Everything but beautifully still.
Until Banjo took it upon himself to attack a passing corgi. Hopefully not one belonging to Her Maj' as it'll mean The Tower for him for sure.
Good things,
Jon
Jon leads the Everyday Mindfulness group meditation on Zoom every Monday/Friday, 6pm London-time. FREE.
Follow this link to join the WhatsApp group and receive notifications: https://chat.whatsapp.com/K5j5deTvIHVD7z71H3RIIk

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Gareth
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Posts: 1465

Fri Mar 11, 2016 12:24 pm  

@Peter wrote: some days it's a piece of cake. For me, today everything just clicks; awareness wise.


I completely recognise this. Some days, mindfulness feels akin to a superpower. Like Neo in The Matrix, when he suddenly starts seeing everything as it really is.

Glad you're having a good day, Peter. Take in the joy while it's here. :)

Mischa
Posts: 13

Fri Mar 11, 2016 8:29 pm  

I understand what you are saying. I noticed yesterday that sometimes I try too hard through mindfulness to be in the moment. And then I realised that I don't always have to use mindfulness to be in the moment, I also have a natural way of living in the moment, get what I am saying?

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Happyogababe
Posts: 250
Practice Mindfulness Since: 01 Jan 2008

Sat Mar 12, 2016 1:59 pm  

@Peter wrote:Good day my friends,

This morning I've been biking. Here in the Netherlands, the sun is shining, the lawns are being mowed; I love that smell. I love this day. I love everybody and everything today.

About that:

Some days one is struggling to be aware and some days it's a piece of cake. For me, today everything just clicks; awareness wise.

O, how I love these days. I'm not longing for this feeling though. I just take it as it comes. I'm fine with every day, because the different challenges they present I can learn from. Nothing to learn if it's always bliss.

I love how this natural awareness feels; a sense of calm and flow. But most importantly, days like this give extra space; the freedom to explore. No need to put a lot of effort in getting one out of one's thinking.

Today I've been exploring 'awareness of awareness itself'. It's amazing how this level of awareness feels. Actually being at that level of awareness, not understanding the concept of it, but being there, everything becomes 'still' instantly. There's a real sense of peace, understanding and compassion! (disclaimer: this is my personal experience)

Have a great day!

Peter


What an inspiring and positive post. I felt happy and calm just by reading it.

The sun is shining (a little) here in the UK too, yesterday was lovely and sunny. It makes such a difference. I too like the mowed lawn smell.

It's great to experience a day like today, I'd really like to be aware of awareness and at some point (when my practice is maturer) I'll give that a go. Your experience sounds wonderful.

You've made me smile :D

Have a lovely day.
'You can't stop the waves, but you can learn to surf' Jon Kabat Zinn

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Peter
Site Admin
Posts: 696
Practice Mindfulness Since: 19 Aug 2013
Location: The Netherlands

Sat Mar 12, 2016 3:29 pm  

Thanks for your positive feedback, Happy. You've a great attitude!

Peter

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Happyogababe
Posts: 250
Practice Mindfulness Since: 01 Jan 2008

Sat Mar 12, 2016 3:56 pm  

:) I'm having a lovely day. We haven't got sun now but it's bright and calm. 8-) hope you still got sunshine.
'You can't stop the waves, but you can learn to surf' Jon Kabat Zinn

MiM
Posts: 122
Practice Mindfulness Since: 0- 5-2015

Sat Mar 12, 2016 4:52 pm  

Wonderful day here also, even though the lawns are still covered with snow. I had a long walk, that I'd say I rather enjoyed. But when it comes to mindfulness, I failed miserably. At least as I recall it now, I was a step ahead most of the time. Thinking about the next turn instead of savouring the moment.

Monkeybrain in action: I walk down to the shore to enjoy the (almost) open sea and then when I am there I am already thinking about how to get home.
Stands at the sea, wonders at wondering: I a universe of atoms, an atom in the universe.
-Richard Feynman-

JonW
Team Member
Posts: 2897
Practice Mindfulness Since: 08 Dec 2012
Location: In a field, somewhere

Sat Mar 12, 2016 5:15 pm  

But you noticed that you weren't being mindful, MiM. That in itself is being mindful - being attentive to our inattentiveness.
Snow?!
Blimey. :o
Jon
Jon leads the Everyday Mindfulness group meditation on Zoom every Monday/Friday, 6pm London-time. FREE.
Follow this link to join the WhatsApp group and receive notifications: https://chat.whatsapp.com/K5j5deTvIHVD7z71H3RIIk

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Peter
Site Admin
Posts: 696
Practice Mindfulness Since: 19 Aug 2013
Location: The Netherlands

Sat Mar 12, 2016 7:10 pm  

MiM wrote:Monkeybrain in action: I walk down to the shore to enjoy the (almost) open sea and then when I am there I am already thinking about how to get home.
Great that you're so honest about that! I can really appreciate that!

Peter

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