First, Thoughts are not connected to other ideas at that point when they occur in consciousness.
Uncertainty and resistance indicate analysis paralysis. In the Thinking Mind, a person identifies with a logical series of thoughts and becomes trapped in those thoughts. The Thinking Mind has pulled rank at the moment. At this point, the person is not capable of inspiration or original ideas. Their conclusions are made up, contrived.
Spontaneous First Thought, even if nonsensical, or just an image, a sound or shape is still pure.
(Feeling Mind) Our thoughts are not linked together in a series. They are single thought forms, appearing, disappearing, reappearing differently and disappearing again. (Example of nothingness in a vacuum)
The East’s great traditions explain why thoughts themselves are not linked, and this wisdom leads to the nature of the mind itself and its true essence and function.
(Thinking Mind) Our thoughts are linked together in a series creating this continuity of the person we ‘think’ we are.
What causes this linkage?
It is a bit of a mystery whether it is a natural function of the mind or just a habit?
A series of connected thoughts, ‘thought’ to be connected, create a sense of ego self-identification.
All suffering is born of desires (Buddhist 2nd noble truth). The mind is seeking itself and looking for evidence of its existence in the realm of impermanence.
Seeking is the signature of the mind’s action. The nature of the seeking is the mind trying to find evidence of itself, to feel safe, looking to find a secure position. The mind is seeking to objectify itself.
It feels unsafe, uncertain of itself in the mind’s infinite space, with its formlessness in emptiness. You can’t fill infinity. It’s this crazy-making endless and elusive process of trying to create ‘self’ instead of discovering your true nature.
Here’s the kicker. Without the experience of ego, we’d have no reason to be alive or to create the desire to know ‘thyself.’
It is important to note that Prajna wants to see its diction ‘quickly’ apprehended, giving us no intervening moment for reflection or interpretation. For this reason, Prajna is like a flash of lightning or a spark from two striking pieces of flint. “Quickness’ does not refer to the progress of time’; it means immediacy, absence of deliberation, no allowance for premises to conclusion.” D.T. Suzuki.
“One reason is that there is something inherently hard in spending time alone with the clutter in our heads. It’s hard to avoid your internal contradictions, long-repressed fears, and constant need for validation when you’re doing nothing but sitting still observing your breath.”
BY JESSICA STILLMAN
You feel a greater calm. You can have periods of more profound peace either during your meditation or after your practice. You may even experience some reluctance to end your meditation period. One of the main signs of progress in meditation is to be more relaxed with the idea or not to make progress.
Zen Breath Meditation: Focus on your breath. Follow it as it passes over your lips or nostrils.