Choosing Silence
Elegir el silencio
A question about a deep state of samadhi that arises near the ear and fills the body, and whether turning toward it to quiet the mind constitutes avoidance.
Choosing Silence
A question about a deep state of samadhi that arises near the ear and fills the body, and whether turning toward it to quiet the mind constitutes avoidance.
I was amazed by this samadhi I can come into. It feels as though the location of it is near my ear, and when I turn into it, the whole body feels like a balloon. It is very peaceful. When thoughts get stormy and unstoppable, I turn into the silence and the thoughts die down. I don't know if that's avoidance or resistance. I'm using it as a way out of thought.
No. You're just choosing reality.
It's all there.
It's always there.
Last night I was trying to watch thoughts, and they got really stormy. I couldn't stop them and I couldn't sleep. I just tuned into the silence and then fell asleep very quickly. But I've been struggling with which way to go: should I watch thought, or go into this silence?
Locating the silence
You said it's always there, and you mean in time, right? At any moment you can find it.
Even now, talking to you, I can still hear it.
And you said it's located near your ear. Now, let your curiosity look into this: is it also everywhere?
The more I look into it, the more I cannot locate it.
Just bathe in it. Absorb it. And then let it go where it goes.
So just keep attention on it?
"Attention" may not be my preferred word. Just choose it.
That makes it easier. I always feel so much better coming into it, but I didn't want it to become avoidance of thought. That's the only reason I held back from using it.
Nothing to avoid
I understand, but I recommend you use it. Once you see that it is everywhere, in everything, at all times and in every place, then there is nothing to avoid.
In thought as well? I haven't seen it in thought yet.
That's why you keep choosing it, until you do see it. You already know that it is always present. So now, look for it in different locations, or let it spread to different locations: sensation, sounds, thoughts, the experience of space.
I have noticed that the more I tune into it, the larger it grows. It seems to expand, as if it becomes more aware.
Exactly. Keep doing that. That's great.
I just want to say I'm very grateful for your pointing. I feel so lucky.
It's a great pleasure for me. It brings me a lot of joy. You're very welcome.