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inquiry based practice
December 2009 
More on Practicing Presence with TSK
Davidu
Awhile ago I wrote: I walked very early this morning. It was deserted; the woods and fields were empty as was the gravel path that served as a beltway around them. To the right the fields were laid out in great patches of green that extended into the distance, close up to the left on the outside of the path the honeysuckle vines were heaped over the post and rail fence holding back the dense tangle of woods behind them. I wanted to take in what was happening without being distracted, to have the mind quiet down to the level of the surroundings.
I look back and replay the impressions that joined with each step along the path: a light, breeze touched my face, arms and legs, and then seemed to pass through me; I turned as if to see where it was going; looking over the fence at the thick undergrowth, at the depth and breadth of color, branches windswept and excited; a glance overhead to the leafy canopy of wild ash, honey-locust and sycamore branches, silhouetted against a bright sky; yellow, then green, then yellow; sun beams turning off and on, x-raying the trees, turning the leaves transparent. There was a melting of distinctions, a reunion of friends, a merging into the fold.
A couple of years ago I was explaining to my much younger cousin who asked me about meditation and practicing presence, and I said, "...The content of the thought is not what we're ultimately after; it's the process of thinking you want to observe. A simple way to describe it is to say that while sitting calmly, you will be floating down a river or stream of thought. Then, you might notice or simply observe yourself thinking, as you swim to the banks of the river to stand and watch the thoughts stream by. Maybe they are made up of millions of smaller parts like bubbles, and these bubble-parts are word strings, images and associations, and if you observe closer maybe you see these word-strings are broken down into recognizable patterns, representations of previous experience, and some may be colored by an emotional charge attached to them...continued observation will reveal astonishing things, where yes and no exist as one, where opposites occupy the same space, where meaning is manufactured...where your world is created...and who you really are..."
I said further, "You may find that at first it's not so easy to sit on the banks of your own stream of consciousness and watch the flow pass you by. You keep getting swept away by the current. But that's to be expected. That's the habit we've formed since childhood and you know how difficult it is to alter a habit. But all you do is gently return your attention to being the observer, you'll do it thousands of times, like blinking, just keep returning to observing, which is called "mindfulness." This is THE reason why it is imperative you meditate daily; to break the habit of identifying with and living entirely in your thoughts..."
Looking back in time to the beginning, Stephen Hawking used 'imaginary numbers' to represent time and space, prior to the quantum fluctuation and inflation that was the birth of the universe. Imaginary numbers are those that result from taking the square root of a negative number. They're termed imaginary because they don't exist in the normal number system but they do allow physicists to plot time as if it were just another dimension of space. Where 'real' time moves back to the singularity, and stops at the zero point, imaginary numbers allow space to be calculated prior to that point to infinity, just like dimensions of space. K. C. Cole summarizes Hawking's scenario in her book, The Hole in the Universe, saying,
"...the universe doesn't have to be created from nothing. It's just there. It is geometry of space and time. When the geometry changes - that is, when imaginary time becomes real time - the universe begins. The change from nothing to something is literally a change in geometry...the universe just exists...It doesn't have time so it doesn't have a beginning or end. The time we experience is something we construct."
...Sitting quietly in the sunroom shaded by the white pines and maple trees, soothed by the gentle breezes from the West, and pleased by the vision of a million living facets of sun touched leaves of emerald and jade, ocher and crimson, I am reflecting upon the world. I close my eyes and observe the thoughts and feelings arise and pass. I observe how I usually view myself as a small part of a very large world, then after awhile, perspective shifts and seems to go deeper, and I see with unusual clarity a world of my own creation. It's my own particular representation in all its varied interconnected and self-referencing, continuously arising manifestations; that is, I am a concept populated by a world of concepts. This wasn't an idea in the usual sense; it was a full occupying knowing.
Thoughts again thin to a trickle, revealing the silence of eternal serenity, an endless empty glow with dots of distant stirrings, word strings, sensations, sounds. Here is the place of creation, where form and formless merge from fundamental bursts, where there is no need for opposites or concepts to reflect them. Here is where the physical body is no longer felt by a glowing awareness, a memory no longer influencing identity. Then, awareness begins to alternate between feeling body sensations and a sense of 'me', with the lack of both. Here is the flicker of time and the geometry of relations, the glimmer of 'knowing the knowing'; the fluctuations in the continuum.
...Later, looking back on this experience from an ever new and more open, conventional perspective, it is easier to see how my world of mental constructions come to be: By a combination of stored information that is continuously mingled with raw data from various inputs, that gets categorized and filtered through value judgments, and presumptions that validate or contradict my current worldview, and are then further weighed as to their suitability to be held from moment to moment, and day to day. In seeing how the worldview is formed and held together, there also comes this deeper knowing of how it opens, expands and widens. There is a grounded, confident quality to this knowing as direct experience; not just what I think about it, instead, it's a more intimate feeling of inhabiting this knowing fully. With it comes an occasional momentary experience of being spontaneously synchronized with the ever-changing flow of appearances...
As Tarthang Tulku says:
"When a point moves, a line defining one dimension appears. When the line moves, the two dimensions of a plane appear. When the plane moves, the three dimensions of a solid appear. ‘Time to move' seems essential to the opening of dimensions.
Biology tells us that our perception of the depth dimension of ordinary space is the result of stereoscopic vision. Images from each eye, which are located in two slightly different positions, are synthesized by the brain into a single image compiled from different angles. It is as though we had moved slightly from one position to another, or as if we could occupy two positions at once! Depth depends on motion.We might explore the dimensionality of space by looking very simply at what is in our visual field right now. Just as an artist might study the precise forms before his eye to translate them to a flat surface, we could note where one shape ends and the next begins. One color borders the next with no gap-there is no "space-colored space" in between the blue sky and the green tree. The space before us is completely filled with color and form. Sometimes we think of space as the absence of objects, the space in between the objects, or the place where nothing ‘is', the not-something in between all the many ‘somethings'. But if we observe from one position without moving, such an ‘absence' or ‘in-between' will never manifest.
If we simply stand still and look, depth seems to collapse. We have right and left, up and down, but no ‘to' and ‘from'. Looking out on the landscape what we actually see is smaller and larger shapes. Distance seems to be an interpretation imposed upon this experience. Likewise, we see shadow and light, but contour seems to be interpretation.
But as soon as I start to move, something changes. I seem to be walking through space, through a transparent medium. The ‘through' of space and the motion of time are intimately connected. Moving, I see the tree before me from different angles, and its depth becomes apparent. Another dimension opens up. The question arises: What if we could move differently, in another kind of space? Would other dimensions of time open up? Suppose we think of time as a kind of space. Is it possible to rotate a point of time? Turn a line of time? Shift a plane of time?" Sacred Dimensions of Time and Space, pp. 90-91
"In the mental realm... sculpting shapes out of the allowing medium of space" Dimensions of Time and Space, p. 202
"Emerging into time's wholeness, we discover a world infinite in its measured-out manifestations -- far richer in its possibility than we have ever imagined. But the infinite unique cannot be measured. It is the activating medium of measurement: the heart of time." DTS p. 163
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Footnote: A portfolio of Charles White paintings can be found here.
Access: Public
David,
As I read your entry earlier today, birds were singing and fluttering in the pines outside my window. The birds' sweet song, your entry and White's artwork mingled together into a lovely series of moments to enjoy and upon which to reflect.
”I wanted to take in what was happening without being distracted, to have the mind quiet down to the level of the surroundings.”
That is how I like to read through entries like yours…though it means sometimes it takes me a little longer to comment. This afternoon brought something unexpected, but I will be back in the morning to re-read, and visit anew, Light…
Erin
Erin,
Thank you for your thoughtful response. There is a TSK exercise that I often engage in (and I suspect you may also do it naturally) called Generating Space, in which we are instructed:
“Sitting quietly, observe what is present and what is happening around you, noting how objects and events appear within dimensionalized space. Focus your observation on characteristics of the sort that we usually connect to space. Start with the attribute of distance or separation; then go on to such qualities as ‘between' or ‘inside' and such phenomena as edges and borders. Initially, just become familiar with these elements of space dimensionality. Later, you can explore ways to open and loosen the categories you focus on so that they no longer function as firm distinctions. As such conventional space distinctions come under investigation, space itself becomes more spacious. You may notice that whatever you encounter in space shares in this newly spacious appearing.
Expand this way of making experience more spacious into the activity of perception through which objects become available. Each of the five senses – seeing form, hearing sound, smelling odor, tasting flavor, touching solidity – can become more spacious and open. Explore each in turn.
You can discover this same dynamic in the activity of thinking. As a method for exploring this dynamic, practice seeing the content of each thought as though it were a character in a stage play, dressed in its distinctive costume. Apply your inquiry to the experience of thinking (including associated feelings, images, and so forth) rather than simply to the content of what is experienced. Later, bring into the exercise the content and significance of each thought.
In doing this practice, you may find that thoughts have a ‘body' that extends beyond their content; that the awareness of the mind and the openness of the heart are present as a kind of aura surrounding each thought. Practice expanding awareness into these domains. As you open them up, you may touch residual pockets of tension or emotionality that can be released in the course of doing the exercise. This more subtle focus will help you see how space openness is partitioned through assigning attributes and characteristics and taking them seriously.
As you become aware of these trends, the partitioning activity slows down, and fewer partitions form. Since thoughts and perceptions are less crowded and jumbled together, they can expand, allowing more space. Eventually, whatever appears opens into space, while thoughts dissolve into the mind. Though events continue to arise and to present themselves, nothing is produced through this arising. As you become familiar with this way of appearing, you may notice that you participate in experience differently. Free from the momentum that proclaims identity, you can open to silence.” Dimensions of Time and Space, pp. 279-280
David
I just wanted to add the following to the above excerpt…
“The silent quality evoked in [the exercise called Generating Space above] offers a richness that is available to be explored: a quality or feeling linked to the quality inherent in being alive, or simply the quality of being. Too basic to be characterized, it manifests as a kind of indeterminate continuum.
Ordinarily, if we sense this basis at all, it has a thickness or dullness to it. Now you can go into it differently. Within the continuum of stillness, cultivate a transparent quality, as though you were preparing the silence to receive light. As you continue with this practice, you will develop the ability to dwell within the silence in a way that allows for a light and clear awareness. It is like activating a silent witness, whose steady presence we might consider ‘nowness'.
Eventually this presence can become a ‘place' that you can identify and enter with ease, even though it still has no specific identity or qualities. We might call it the womb of space. Some people may find it fruitful to spend long hours there, familiarizing themselves with the spacious silence it offers, deepening their contact.
As you come to know this foundational ‘place', you can see how ordinary experience arises out of it. A sense of being becomes ‘being here'; from this arises ‘being here in time'. Presence becomes presence 'of ' something, which is then established and felt to exist. Existence becomes ‘I am', which is felt to be identical with the original sense of being.” DTS p. 281
These paintings first evoke fond memories of living in New England. The brilliant colors, the shades of sun and light, the intricate detail of the scenes, the quiet wildness of the eastern regions. I come to comment and find myself sitting with the images, not typing.
I love the reference to Hawking, and Cole's words: ”…infinity, just like dimensions of space” and ”It's just there.” Timelessness, Space… I am reminded of Einstein's words: ”This distinction between past, present, and future is only an illusion.”
As I first sat with the images of the paintings, I sit with your words from the sunroom through, ”With it comes an occasional momentary experience of being spontaneously synchronized with the ever-changing flow of appearances…” I admire the way in which you eloquently convey your thoughts, knowing and being – as intricately simple as the delicate, colored leaves and as lit from within and without by streams of light.
I go next, to the excerpts…
“I seem to be walking through space, through a transparent medium. The ‘through' of space and the motion of time are intimately connected. Moving, I see the tree before me from different angles, and its depth becomes apparent.”
Ten years ago I had reconstructive eye surgery. One of my first ventures after healing was to the nearby forest (at the time I lived near the Adirondacks). I remember feeling stunned by the dimensions and distances between leaves and limbs. Prior to the surgery, I had almost no visibly-determinate depth perception. To this day, when I am out especially in a forest, I can look forever at the trees and never cease to be amazed by distances.
The experiences gave me a feeling of walking through, particularly prior to the surgery when I had to rely on other senses to convey distance. The same post-surgery thrill of being able to visually see depth and space is akin to how I sense Space, within the context of the full-length excerpt included in your entry. I had tried to explain these perceptions to others and was told I had a big imagination :) Next…
”Practice expanding awareness into these domains. As you open them up, you may touch residual pockets of tension or emotionality that can be released in the course of doing the exercise. This more subtle focus will help you see how space openness is partitioned through assigning attributes and characteristics and taking them seriously.”
This is very interesting to consider: partitioning. I'd like to try this excercise from its beginning through less paritioning and then into the silence. Reading the exercise, it is easy to visualize the process, similar, in part, to a visualisation screen defragging a hard drive. Does that make sense, or am I perhaps misinterpreting the exercise?
“As you come to know this foundational ‘place', you can see how ordinary experience arises out of it. A sense of being becomes ‘being here'; from this arises ‘being here in time'. Presence becomes presence 'of ' something, which is then established and felt to exist. Existence becomes ‘I am', which is felt to be identical with the original sense of being.” DTS p. 281
Previously, I had not considered how ordinary experience comes out of it; rather, I'd seen it as a sanctuary, a refuge from the noise and news of the world. I like this new perspective better. And I would like to explore the idea of how ordinary experience comes out of it.
Thank you for posting the excerpts and exercise. It is a delight to have discovered the TSK pod and I enjoy reading your entries and notes as they open up new realms of thought, perceptions, study… Always, so much to learn and discover. Wonderful, Life :)
Very best,
Erin
Erin,
Thank you again for your thoughtful response. While it seems to be somewhat rare to receive a response to my usual blog entries, yours are sensitive and giving, willing to engage and inquire, and very much appreciated.
You mentioned you'd ”like to explore the idea of how ordinary experience comes out of…” [this foundational place], “a silent witness, whose steady presence we might consider ‘nowness'”, and how ”from this, arises being here in time”.
I agree, this is a fascinating exploration! You have the beauty and majesty of the vast high plains to observe, and what if you simply close your eyes and look inward to the plains of your own senses, one at a time. For instance, the music you love unfolds loosely along a familiar melodic structure and linear progression from beginning to end. As it unfolds 'now' as you listen, there is more to this unfolding than musical structure, there is also a modulation in depth, there is the space of your hearing sense expanding and receding with the intensity of sound. The allowing of space appears with the sound, like the bubble and the water, the boundary of one is the boundary of the other.
Taste something with your eyes closed, a peach for instance. Before you bite into it your sense of taste is a near neutral space, perhaps a hint acidic. But as soon as you taste the peach, sweetness expands the space of your tasting plain, it literally explodes into your awareness. If you did this at the same time as you were listening to the music there would be an overlapping of senses, the spaces of each plain would be unfolding in a larger awareness. You might also become aware of the feel of the chare beneath you, the coolness of the air on your arms, your breath expelled from your nostrils. Noticing the Space, and all these sensual arisings (Time), as they happen, you get a sense of a way ” how ordinary experience comes out of…” [this foundational place]” :-)
And I'm reminded of the Hawkings summary by Cole, “when imaginary time becomes real time - the universe begins. The change from nothing to something is literally a change in geometry…” and from Tulku, “When a point moves, a line defining one dimension appears. When the line moves, the two dimensions of a plane appear. When the plane moves, the three dimensions of a solid appear. ‘Time to move' seems essential to the opening of dimensions.”
In a sense, as knowing beings we are the unfolding of our senses in space, and this is time. As Herbert V. Guenther says in the forward of Time, Space, and Knowledge, Experience:
“…the source of interpretive notions among which 'space' and 'time' turn out to be 'horizon forms' of experience itself. Here 'space' is orientability with no fixed center, and 'time' a retentioal-protentional with the 'now' its unifying operation. The distinguishing qualities of 'the presence of a subject' and 'the presence of an object' are the results of later (thematic) construction. Although experience is pervasively present as 'horizon forms' which are playfully imposed boundaries, experience (as continuous source) never exhausts itself.
Experience carries with it the connotation of knowledge, which it must be emphasized, is basic to, if not synonymous with, all life (as we 'know' it). It is also the manner in which it manifests, that is, spatializes and temporalizes itself. In being a process, rather than a static entity, knowledge is always in danger of becoming divided against itself by making its intentional operations concretely and – even before it glides off into the rigidity of a subject-'here' and an object-'there' – setting up a counterfeit image of itself which actually is the source of any duality.”
I find it fascinating, but not surprising, that perhaps as a result of spending a good deal of your life, or all of it prior to your eye surgery having almost no visibly-determinate depth perception, and now that you can appreciate it visibly, you have chosen to be a 'high plains roamer' where you can now indulge the gift of depth perception that you had been deprived of for so many years.
Best wishes,
David
Thank you, David. I do enjoy these discussions.
Earlier today, I was rereading the forward from TSK. And then, to find an excerpt here and be glad to read those fine words, again :)
Your example of the peach is also “timely.” I was gifted another bag of fresh-picked peaches from a mountain friend finding he had too many and was even tired of eating peaches for all meals :) I enjoy them more for growing within a land not conducive to producing peaches, for their being tenderly cared for and coaxed into ripeness, for their summery fragrance and deep golden color, and more…
Now, I can apply a new perspective: Space and Time (as you explained carefully above).
Thank you,
Erin
what an awesome post this is…a real jewel…David you really have a way of writing about your experiencing that actually reaches out and not only touches the space of other's, but envelopes it into your own…not everyone can do that, but it has been a real pleasurable experience to read you…always, joy*