Dissolution of Character

[DerFürst]

The concept that meditation on awareness dissolves attributes that contribute to the sense of self (otherwise referred to as the ego) is something I have become aware of through experience. The person I've always wanted to be, funny enough, is only something I can be when the concepts of "I" and "becoming" are dropped.

Continuing to meditate will answer all these questions by dissolving their meaning anyway, but for the sake of the mind's pondering, let's suppose there's a problem needing to be solved. How does one going about living life refrain from being the person experiencing it? In the absence of "me," what's left behind treats people with far more compassion and love than the self-destructive striver and doer "me" ever does. There is an idea floating around my head that says "mindfulness is cultivated through mindfulness meditation, and so the sense of awareness will be more prevalent in all aspects of life as the practice unfolds."

The question here is how can I continue to stay mindful without the "I" in every day life? People, the thoughts they make, the technology they use, and many aspects of their society make this a difficult task, as it sucks the mind straight into its trap. What must happen before mindfulness can continue into the story of everyday life? Stuffing it into a separate portion called "meditation time" seems counter intuitive.

[ButterflyWoman]

The person I've always wanted to be, funny enough, is only something I can be when the concepts of "I" and "becoming" are dropped.

Yeah, it's like that, isn't it?

How does one going about living life refrain from being the person experiencing it? In the absence of "me," what's left behind treats people with far more compassion and love than the self-destructive striver and doer "me" ever does. There is an idea floating around my head that says "mindfulness is cultivated through mindfulness meditation, and so the sense of awareness will be more prevalent in all aspects of life as the practice unfolds."

You know, I don't know how to answer this, because I haven't gotten to the place of balance yet. I'm there sometimes, but a lot of the time, the distraction of the I-me-mine and the material goings-on pull me right back into the character of "me". Well, it is possible to get into a sort of blissed out, non-present state, which is very nice, but then nothing gets done because I can see all too well that nothing NEEDS to be done, because it's all perfect the way it is. And it is, but... yes. It's a dilemma. How do you stay present enough to play the dream-life-game, yet detached enough to not be dragged back into it all the time? To be, as St Paul wrote, in the world, but not of the world?

I don't know. For the moment, I have to say I think it's just something that evolves, something that is acquired. I can't even say it's learned, because that implies something that I don't think is probably possible. Maybe bits are learned, but for the most part, I suspect it's a maturing process where you eventually find the middlle path (thank you, Buddha) and, by whatever means, stay there most of the time, and eventually, all of the time.

Note: This view is subject to change, as are all of my views. This is just my current observation.

[Sinera]

I actually DO feel like Paul, "in but not of" the world. Yet, I can't say I feel or am enlightened in any way.

[CFTraveler]

Me too. Lol.

[ButterflyWoman]

Yet, I can't say I feel or am enlightened in any way.

So what does that feel like, exactly? I've been waiting for some great feeling of enlightenment for a long time now, but all I really experience is a big shift in perspective. Is that it? How would I know if it was or it wasn't? *shrug* Such is the problem of the word and even the concept of "enlightenment". Whatever it is.

[CFTraveler]

I guess I'm enlightened on how I really know I don't know anything......

[DerFürst]

The disappointment you all seem to feel . I don't know about anyone else, but I've been so disappointed with life that living in non-appointment seems a better option, if better were ever a thing.

I cannot say that I was ever looking, striving, or hoping to go down this road. Rather, it seems like it's a process that intention aligns with to avoid extra hassle, and not something acted upon by volition. Waking up to realizing nothing... that seems like a great deal. You get to keep learning nothing forever, as you have been, but without the extra hassle of feeling like you need to.

But belief systems are temporary. Once they're used up, they seem to drop away like they were never there. I guess the only thing left for "me" to do is keep at it and not worry about all the details so much.

[ButterflyWoman]

The disappointment you all seem to feel

Kind of. But it's a shallow kind of disappointment. Meaning, it's petty and silly. The satisfaction and depth of perception far outweighs it. But, yeah, I did want choirs of singing angels to command or... I dunno. Something. Maybe making it rain chocolate. It's like, "I experienced spiritual awakening and all I got was this t-shirt, which I know is an illusion".

I don't know about anyone else, but I've been so disappointed with life that living in non-appointment seems a better option, if better were ever a thing.

Agreed.

I cannot say that I was ever looking, striving, or hoping to go down this road. Rather, it seems like it's a process that intention aligns with to avoid extra hassle, and not something acted upon by volition. Waking up to realizing nothing... that seems like a great deal. You get to keep learning nothing forever, as you have been, but without the extra hassle of feeling like you need to.

Yes. Exactly. And I didn't choose this road, either. I don't think anyone really does. It chooses you. Or you're chosen for it. Or made for it. Or something along those lines.

But belief systems are temporary. Once they're used up, they seem to drop away like they were never there. I guess the only thing left for "me" to do is keep at it and not worry about all the details so much.

You've got it.

[Dreamweaver]

So.... hmmm. Confusion. Is this thread about non-attainment/non-attachment, and being fully and peacefully present as a non-reactive Observer?

[ButterflyWoman]

So.... hmmm. Confusion. Is this thread about non-attainment/non-attachment, and being fully and peacefully present as a non-reactive Observer?

I thought it was about finding the middle path, the balance.