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Key Points

• Main Points of the Message

  • The mind's attempt to understand spiritual teachings is itself an object of observation.

  • Thoughts about the teaching are being witnessed; therefore, they are not the observer.

  • The observer (awareness) is not participating in the thinking process.

  • Awareness simply knows that thoughts are present.

  • The observer is not thinking; thinking occurs within awareness.

  • Any thought—whether spiritual, practical, positive, or negative—can be noticed as an appearance in consciousness.

  • The habit of identifying with thoughts creates the feeling of being the thinker.

  • Instead of following, analyzing, or believing thoughts, recognize that they are being observed.

  • Shift attention from the content of thought to the fact that the thought is known.

  • Notice the difference between:

    • Being lost in thinking, and

    • Being aware of thinking.

  • Thoughts arise, stay briefly, and pass away; awareness remains throughout.

  • The teaching points not toward changing thoughts, but toward recognizing the awareness in which thoughts appear.

  • Freedom comes from disidentification with thought rather than controlling thought.

  • The essential inquiry is:

    • "Am I this thought?"

    • Or,

    • "Am I the awareness that knows this thought?"

  Essence in One Sentence

  The teaching invites you to stop identifying with the stream of thoughts and instead recognize yourself as the ever-present awareness that witnesses their arising and passing.

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TThe thinking which tries to understand the teaching is observed. You, the observer, are not involved in that thinking process. You are only aware. You, the observer, are not thinking. You are only aware. Whenever thoughts arise, whatever they may say, instead of identifying and engaging with them, recognize the awareness of them. Instead of “being the thinking,” notice yourself being what sees its arising and passing. That is what the teaching is really pointing to. Yesterday I released a video sharing how to stop identifying with and believing the content of thoughts. If you'd like to hear more on this subject, you can watch it here. With you in practice,