Contemplation is not about being churchy or reflective, introverted or intellectual. It is the practice of panoramic awareness, receiving each moment with an undefended, open gaze. Not analyzing or judging, simply beholding reality as it is, without rejection or grasping.
This pure, allowing presence does not come naturally. We are addicted to categorizing, evaluating, processing all of life through the narrow filter of our personal preferences and repetitive mental tapes. Mistaking this looping narrative voice for actual thinking, we stay trapped in ego's self-referential prison.
But nondual consciousness teaches a new way of knowing - not through compulsive distinction-making, but through the holistic seeing that makes no separations. With mind, heart and senses all relaxed and receptive, we can simply witness this instant's wholeness without needing to divide or eliminate any part of the field.
Moments of great love, great anguish - these offer abrupt awakenings into nondual vision. Prayer and meditation then become ways to continually return to that unified awareness no longer bounded by our smaller self-obsessions.
To embrace and accept reality precisely as it arises, rather than as we prefer it to be - this allows a deeper intimacy with what is. We stop dissecting and instead simply let the moment be, holding both delight and difficulty in one compassionate gaze.
No longer stuck in the futile cycle of grasping or repelling, we cultivate the rare art of detachment. Standing back, observing our small stories and cravings with tender spaciousness, we transcend compulsive identification through loving non-attachment.
In this undefended presence, our incessant inner dramas can finally be witnessed and released through authentic laughter or tears. Each tightening around "me" and "mine" dissolves into the blessed freedom of becoming that which simply receives all as it is.
Find a comfortable position, sitting or lying down. Close your eyes gently and take a few deep breaths. Inhale slowly and deeply, feeling your breath fill your body. Exhale completely, releasing any tension.
Imagine yourself standing on a hilltop, overlooking a vast landscape. It could be a bustling city, a tranquil forest, or anything that speaks to you. Take a moment to simply observe the scene before you.
Notice your initial reaction. Are you drawn to certain elements? Do you find yourself judging or labeling anything in your field of vision? Let these reactions go, for now.
Instead, cultivate a sense of open, undefended awareness. Take in the entire scene – the vibrant colors, the sounds both near and far, the textures beneath your feet (even if you're sitting).
There's no need to analyze or judge, simply behold what is present. Don't try to force a particular experience, but allow yourself to receive each detail with a sense of curiosity.
Acknowledge the internal chatter that might arise – the mental labels, the stories you create about what you see. Recognize how easily you get caught up in this internal loop.
Now, shift your focus to a more holistic seeing. Instead of dividing the scene into separate elements, try to take it all in as a unified whole. See the beauty in the chaos, the balance amidst the movement.
Imagine moments in your life where you felt a deep sense of connection, of oneness with everything around you. Perhaps it was a moment of great love, or even great sorrow. How did your perception of the world shift in those moments?
Bring that sense of wholeness back to the present moment. Accept everything that arises in your awareness, both pleasant and unpleasant, with a sense of compassionate neutrality.
Let go of the need to dissect or control your experience. Instead, allow the moment to unfold as it is, holding space for both joy and difficulty with equanimity.
As you witness your thoughts and emotions, cultivate a sense of detachment. Observe them with gentle curiosity, but don't get swept away in their current.
With this spaciousness, emotions can flow freely, expressed through laughter or tears as needed. Let go of the struggle between clinging and pushing away.
In this state of undefended presence, feel the freedom of simply being. You are not your thoughts, your emotions, or your stories. You are the open awareness that receives all of life's experiences with grace.
Take a few more deep breaths, integrating this sense of open awareness and acceptance. When you're ready, gently open your eyes, carrying this panoramic perspective out into your day.
