August 24, 2014
This issue is now obsolete. For latest references please see: KHTK Mindfulness. The specific reference that updates this issue is Inconsistency in KHTK.
This was part of a basic series of essays, which started this blog. These essays were later revised and the original versions were deleted. However, these essays were then added back to maintain a complete record.
The basic idea introduced in this essay was that of INCONSISTENCY in the form of dispersal or fixation of attention.
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The following steps may help you notice what may be missing.
(1) Look broadly at an area.
(2) Look at the purpose of that area.
(3) Visualize the ideal scene when the purpose is being followed.
(4) Compare what is actually there to that ideal scene.
When you look at a leaking bucket, these steps will help you discover that a sturdy frame is missing, or if there is something else omitted.
Exercise 3-6
FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH THE BASIC PURPOSE OF A SHOP AND ITS IDEAL SCENE. NOW VISIT A SHOP.
1. Simply keep looking around without thinking. Don’t resist anything.
2. Keep the purpose and ideal scene of a shop in your mind.
3. Notice when your attention becomes non-optimum.
4. Look more closely at what is making the attention non-optimum,
5. End off when the attention is optimum (free).
Exercise 3-7
Look at things as you go through your daily routine while keeping their purpose and ideal scene in mind. Look more closely as and when your attention becomes non-optimum until it is free again.
Make this exercise a part of your daily routine.
The above exercises may be done with the help of a guide to get started.
For each of the previous exercises, the guide may give you the following instructions repetitively:
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Look at something.
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Experience what is there.
Do so without thinking and resisting. End off when the attention is optimum (free).
Incorporate the habit of bringing the purpose and ideal scene to your mind as you look at things in your environment. Continue with the routine until you find your attention to be stable, free, and firmly grounded in the physical environment.
Once the above is accomplished, you may then take a shot at looking at your mind more deeply.
