Let go and relax into awareness
Rediscover yourself as Awareness, calmness and stillness to alleviate fear, anxiety and stress within your life. The journey inward is an intriguing exploration, not merely a destination.
Rest upon the background awareness from which everything appears, observes and return to. You are that awareness which has always been still, non-fixated, open and unchange in time and space, and in waking, dreaming and dreamless.
A Calm State of Mind
Peace is within us at all times
Mindfulness means “to remember, to return to and to recognize” what we already have. Many think to get a peaceful mind we need to exert some effort on the mind to make it still. How can such an effort make the mind to become calm and still?
Peace has always been a part of us. It is who we are. We don’t need to focus on sensory objects to achieve a sense of calmness. We have the power to access it directly whenever you want and wherever you want, even amidst daily chaos. You don’t need to strive for it because it’s already a part of who we are. Allow yourself to embrace this innate gift and let it shine through in everything you do.
Every experience and obstacle in your personal journey has potential for growth and discovery. You shouldn’t let fear hold you back, but instead, use it as motivation to achieve greatness.
Remember that you are capable of accomplishing anything you set your mind to. So seize this new day with hope and determination. When you shift your focus from your thoughts to the background silent behind them, you can unlock your inner peaceful nature.
The present moment has always been inside you, even when life distracts. You must not forget to appreciate the beauty within the peaceful silence that resides within you.
By turning your attention to this inner stillness, you can create a more serene and balanced life within yourselves, both at work and with your family, and in society as a whole.
“A calm mind does not need concentration, it needs rest in order to reflect and to know everything. It is like a still pond that reflects everything on its surface exactly as it is when it is undisturbed, still and calm”
- Huan Minh Vuong
Embark on a profound journey of self-discovery. Look inward and discover the missing pieces of your life. Embrace your inner peacefulness and reclaim your peaceful state of mind. In this state you will rediscover your true essence, and be able to detach yourself from the worries and chaos of the external world. Learn to rest within yourself, while you continue engaging in all activities of your life with renewed positivity, understanding and insigt.
“Peace is the ever-present quality of Awareness dwelling within us at all times!”
– Huan Minh Vuong
Multiple aspects of our mind
Thinking and witnessing
Witnessing and thinking are two interwoven aspects of our mind. However, while thinking can deplete our energy, witnessing is a non-judgmental state of awareness that brings us closer to our true Self. When our thoughts dissolve into tranquility, we are left with a peaceful and serene consciousness. Embracing the power of witnessing enables us to awaken our inner potential and find inspiration in the present moment.
The difference between thinking and witnessing lies in the extent of changes they bring about. Any alteration in our mental state is accompanied by a shift in our mood and way of being, all of which are witnessed by our unchanging awareness. Witnessing is a continual process that takes place solely in the present moment. It is here and now, and it will never change. It is who we are; the non-verbal and non-conceptual witnessing Awareness.
What is the feeling of "I"
As we’re exploring the misconception of the self or “I”, it becomes necessary to consider whether we are defined solely by our physical and mental attributes. A thorough examination of the nature of change is required in order to fully comprehend this idea. Our bodies and minds are in a state of constant flux, rendering us perpetually different from our former selves. Our thoughts shift from moment to moment, and our emotions are in a constant state of flux. Over months and years, our personalities transform and we evolve as individuals. It appears that every aspect of our being changes from childhood to adulthood. The question remains: In the midst of all these changes, who are we truly? Are we the person we were last year, or the person we will become next year? Who do we truly belong to?
Within each of us lies something that never undergoes change, a constant presence of non-verbal “I” survives the ebbs and flows of life. It is the sensation that we are the same individual from birth until now, an unspoken recognition of our existence. This Knowingness as the luminous “I” remains still and tranquil amidst all of the changes in our bodies and minds. To truly discover ourselves, we need to connect with this unchanging essence. Remember, even as life shifts around us, this unwavering quality within us endures.
To truly know ourselves, we must have confidence in our innate wisdom, beyond the fleeting changes of our physical form and ever-shifting thoughts. By delving into the unwavering Stillness and Awareness within, we awaken to the truth of our Being. What is this Awareness that remains constant? How does it relate to our experiences?
Our Awareness is our very essence, the unchanging background against which the drama of life plays out. Our thoughts, emotions, and sensations are mere actors upon this unshakable stage, unable to disrupt our unyielding sense of Self. Trust in this unchanging Awareness unlocks the treasures of self-knowledge and everlasting Truth about who we are.
Emptiness of self (ego)
"Form is emptiness, emptiness is form"
All that we see, touch and feel is a result of the law of cause and effect. Nothing can create itself, but instead relies on different factors aligning in the proper moment for existence to manifest.
Despite this dependency, all sensory experiences are Empty; meaning, they can only arise if the correct linking conditions are present.
Once all necessary conditions deteriorate within an object of our experience, it ages and decomposes. As time passes, it fades into nothingness.
This state of Nothingness is far from a state of total absence and void, but rather filled with Energy, Stillness and Awareness, ready to manifest whenever desired.
This potential state is within each and every one of us, waiting to take form as thoughts, feelings and actions. Once fulfilled, they return to the state of Being recognized as Calmness, Stillness, Emptiness, and Awareness.
Through a deep understanding of Being, we can effortlessly explore the nature of Emptiness within our body, thoughts and mind. We gain clarity on the reality of name and form, as well as our conceptual mind, waking, dreaming and dreamless state.
Our journey takes us beyond the limits of ego, allowing us to recognize ourselves as Still Cognitive Awareness that exists in Nirvikalpa Samadhi.
Once we achieve this realization, we can integrate it into our daily life, making it easy to rest in our innate nature of Awareness and Stillness. Stress and fear are transcended, and we no longer identify with our experiences. We have arrived at our True Self with newfound confidence.
“Clarity is who we are, but due to our mental confusions we build an image of ourselves!” *
– Huan Minh Vuong
*Footnote: this is called “ignorance” in Buddhism or in the Advaita Vedanta tradition. It means “not understanding” or “confusion” of the interconnection between our inner Awareness and the manifestation of all our sensory experiences, physical and the non-physical world.
Name and form
Name and form may refer to worldly and sensory objects that arise from cause and effect, but they cannot exist independently, as all things are interconnected.
In fact, the "emptiness" of their inherent existence is what allows for constant change and evolution from moment to moment. Whatever has changed cannot be the same as it was mere minutes ago.
Conceptual mind
The conceptual mind is what distinguishes the observer from the observed. An error arises when the conceptual mind attempts to grasp the experience through language.
Mistakenly believing that concepts are reality can lead to a self-centered and inflexible perspective in which the observer and the observed remain separated. To become One, experiences must know directly.
Cognitive mind
Cognitive mind refers to Awareness, characterized by inner Knowing, calmness and stillness. It is spacious, empty, untouched and unaffected by mental, emotional or physical changes.
This state constitutes the essence of all living beings and is the 4. state pervading waking, dreaming and dreamless. Once everything dissolutes, it returns to this 4. state of Still Spacious Awarenes.
Waking
The waking state is the realm of our gross physical body with our gross mind in which we experience the world through our five senses. During this state, the conscious mind collaborates with the intellect to materialize our wishes and desires.
The conscious mind, however, is not the ultimate decision-maker. Its function is to bring light on decisions from the subconscious mind, also known as the subtle mind, for the intellect to analyze logically and solidify so they can be aligned with the rules and concepts of the waking state.
Dreaming
The state of dreams belongs to the subconscious mind, also known as the subtle mind, wherein our dream body (or astral body) manifests. It encompasses 5 inner senses that correspond to our outer senses in the physical body.
Subtle mind is the place where all decision-making processes take place (based on all experiences stored in the dreamless state), wherein an intention is unfolded and then realized through illogical symbolic images that conceptualize in the conscious mind approximately 7-8 seconds prior to their appearance.
Dreamless
The state of dreamlessness (can be access once awareness rests on the chest area) is the location of our subtle body where the most subtle mind exists. It is commonly referred to as the unconscious mind, where all the seeds of our daily experiences are stored. It is a dormant state where everything is calm and still.
It is a blank state where only unmanifested seeds of experiences, void, darkness and Awareness remain. This state is vast and a small sense of "I" still remains. However, this identification can be released once Awareness recognizes its own presence.
The fourth state of mind
Nirvikalpa Samadhi - Still Awareness, Turiya
Nirvikalpa samadhi is a state of non-verbal knowingness beyond dreamless that is serene and void of all sensory perceptions and conceptual thinking. It transcends all labels and notions and is the ultimate form of Being or Turiya. In this state, the individual’s sensation dissolves, and the concept of “ego” or “I” fades away. All perceptual experiences return to their base, and everything becomes still awareness. To be in a state of recognizing awareness in the dreamless state is the meaning of going beyond dreamless and united ourseleves with Pure Consciousness.
Time has no relevance in this state, and the duration of nirvikalpa samadhi is unknown to the meditator. The meditator cannot exit this state by their own will, as they have no desire to leave it. External influences and mental disposition may pull them out of it. During this state of total absorption, the meditator’s personality undergoes a transformation (in a duration of a few days) where the attachment to anger, jealousy, anxiety and fear is permantly released, gone and destroyed by the moment of entering daily life. It is not advisable to remain in this state of samadhi for more than 21 days otherwise the meditator never returns.
In summary, nirvikalpa samadhi is a profound state of consciousness that opens up new dimensions for exploration and growth. To remain aware while being in the state of dreamless sleep is the doorway into the refine state of Being.
Rest in Still Background Awareness
Mala meditation
The Core of Meditation is about resting in Awareness!
Mala meditation is a technique that enables the subtle mind to freely express itself, ultimately resulting in the pacification of the subconscious mind. As the subconscious becomes still, it allows for the entry into a state of stillness where awareness of the background silent is recognized, untouched by thoughts, feelings, and actions.
The point where thoughts, feelings, and calmness become one, the breath comes to stand still, and everything seems to merge into a single frozen moment in time. In this moment, only stillness, calmness and awareness exist without object or subject.
The journey deepens further through the process of letting go and taking a leap of faith into the most subtle mind, where the sensation of the ego is mostly dissolved. In this state, there is only darkness, awareness and emptiness.
By letting go of darkness and emptiness, awareness remains. The meditator is now in a state of egolessness, and knows “him self/ herself” as awareness without boundaries. This can be characterized as “not this and not that” in whatever words to describe this state. It is the attainment of Nirvikalpa samadhi (which will take approximately 90 minuttes to reach from waking to dreamless state).
– Guided by Huan Minh VuongMudras
Mudras are a sequence of hand positioning postures used for spontaneous movements in stillness, aimed at releasing inner mental blockages. This enables awareness to rest in its inherent nature of calmness and knowingness, providing the practitioner with a greater sense of mindfulness and well-being. Through consistent practice, mudras can help stimulate vital energy centers in the body and promote a more balanced and harmonious state of being.
Mantras
Mantras are a powerful tool used in meditation with the ability to create a peaceful mind. These soothing sounds are found to be effective in creating a sense of inner calm and clarity, enabling the practitioner to connect with their inner Self. By repetition of these sounds, the meditator can create spaces between thoughts and emotions, attaining a state of tranquility. With the use of mantras, discover the inner beauty of serenity, stillness and openness.
Breath retention
Breath retention is an extremely important and necessary technique that is vital to prepare both your body and mind for entering into the highly focused and meditative state of Nirvikalpka samadhi. It is imperative to remember that during breath retention, the utmost care must be taken to ensure that your body and mind remain completely relaxed to avoid any discomfort or mental strain.
Yoga Postures
Yogic postures are to prepare the meditator for entering the state of samadhi where stillness of the breath can be prolonged effortlessly, without causing any strain to the body and mind. These postures help in enhancing flexibility, balance and strength of the body. Through regular practice, yogic postures not only improve physical health but also promote mental clarity and emotional balance.
Wish of inspiration
Before starting a meditation session, reflect on a positive intention for the benefit of all. It's essential to aspire to the well-being of those around us, considering the practice we are about to undertake. Practicing setting aside your ego and cultivating a mindset conducive to your upcoming meditation session will help you manifest your intentions for the greater good.
Meditation period
The ideal time for meditation is in the morning, between 5-8am, upon waking up. Another suitable period for meditation is around midday, from 1-2pm. Afternoons may be less advantageous, as most individuals are fatigued. If you're new to meditation, start with a session of five minutes. Skilled practitioners should aim for 90 minutes of practice.
Eyes as doorway
The activities of the mind can be regulated by the positioning of the eyes. During meditation, it is suggested to close the eyes and look straight ahead, placing the mind in a neutral state. Gazing slightly downward at a 45-degree angle can promote calmness of the mind, while looking upward at the same angle can help overcome drowsiness and mental fatigue. These methods are ment to regulate the mind's energy, so we better can establish equilibrium in the mind.
For deep meditation purpose if our gaze turns inward towards the center of our head, our senses begin to disengage from the external world and enter a state of peacefulness. As our senses continue to withdraw, we eventually reach a point of sensory deprivation, leading us into a state of deep meditation. This process is an essential pathway towards accessing the deeper levels of the mind.
Inner Exploration
Recognition of Awareness
Mindfulness is an incredible tool that enables us to delve deeper into understanding our inner Self. It helps us to remember, to recognize and to return to our unchanging awareness and allows us to gain a clearer perspective over the peaceful space between our thoughts and emotions, ultimately leading us towards greater inner clarity and enabling us to free ourselves from stress and psychological misery.
Learn to relax your mind's muscles
Thinking is a cognitive process that generates a slight tension in the mind. Similar to the body’s movement, muscles need to alternate between tension and relaxation to enable motion. Likewise, when a thought emerges, it induces tension in the mind’s muscles to produce a thought or sensation. During stressful situations, we tend to exert more tension than required, causing our minds to become drained.
By acquiring the skill of relaxing the mind’s muscles, we can abstain from the turbulence of arbitrary thoughts. Studies indicate that only 1% of the thoughts we ponder daily are of value, while a staggering 99% are trivial. It is observed that all decisions are made 7-8 seconds before we’re being conscious of them, which allows us to be attentive to them. Once we become capable of consciously relaxing our mind, we can prevent subconscious thoughts from disturbing us during inappropriate times.
Subconscious activities as main hindrances
Beginners often struggle with meditation when their subconscious mind takes over. Subconscious thoughts can appear randomly and disrupt our attempts to calm our conscious mind. These thoughts control 95% of our actions, so it’s important to learn how to work with our subconscious instead of against it. To overcome these hindrances, we need to find ways to release the subconscious energy in our body in order to access deeper dimension of ourselves.
To effectively manage our subconscious disturbances, it is crucial to comprehend the principles by which our mind operates. In the conscious state, we possess the capacity to select our thoughts and exercise control over them via our willpower and intellectual faculties. This approach is referred to as conscious thinking. Subconscious thinking is a process we cannot controlled (such as our dreams in our sleep). They randomly appear creatively by the sum of all our experiences, wishes and desires. To be able to channeling them throughout our body is a way to accesing the door into our unconscious mind. The name indicates that it’s an area we do not often come in touch with, but only through sleep.
Focus vs. unfocused of attention
Whenever a problem arises in our lives, it is common to become excessively fixated on the issue at hand. Rather than objectively analyzing the situation, we tend to get caught up in the drama unfolding before us. Furthermore, our minds have the tendency to amplify the magnitude of the problem when we recollect it. What may have been a small challenge at the moment can suddenly transform into a large issue. As we all know, sometimes it is advisable to avoid viewing a problem too closely as it may create more difficulties. On occasion, it is necessary to have a wider perspective than that of an 8K microscope.
Throughout our lives, we have learned to maintain a narrow focus in order to accomplish our objectives. However, it is equally important to occasionally relinquish this intense concentration in order to replenish our energy. Disengaging from our exclusive focus allows us to perceive the world from a broader perspective, enabling us to comprehend more and take action more efficiently and effortlessly.
Look deeply into the emptiness of mind
In accordance with the principles of science, the ancient sages of India proclaimed, “As the microcosm, so is the macrocosm.” Despite the fact that everything in the physical world appears to be solid, it is constantly changing. For something to change, there must be enough space for new information to enter and old information to exit. There must be a connection between the internal and external influences, and the space between physical objects allows this to happen.
Energies exist in a state of boundlessness within the space between our thoughts. To redirect energy to higher purposes, one must access this state. This space between our thoughts cannot be detected by the senses. Only by letting go and yielding to inner tranquility and stillness can we recognize that we are present within this space. To know the spaciousness mind is the most efficient way of allowing the mind to relax into its innate nature.
Self-enquiry of who or what is aware
In the space between two thoughts, we must ask the question, “who is aware?” The answer is clear: awareness is not a person, thought, idea or feeling. It is the Self-existing lifeforce inside every human being, expressing itself as Self-knowingness. It is luminous, unchanging and calm. This awareness has the ability to perceive, and it is the background on which life plays its stories.
It is like an ocean on which waves are created, and once everything comes to an end, waves return and become one with the ocean. The same can be said about thoughts, feelings, emotions and perceptions. Awareness is the foundation of all, and once they dissolve, they return back to awareness. With this knowledge, we can feel confident in our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
The origin of time is the present moment
Time is a cyclical spiral of the past, present and future, confidently created by our experience of change. Time becomes real through the changes we encounter, and it is undeniable that everyone’s experience of time is unique. It may seem to fly by for some and slow for others, but one thing is for sure: the existence of the past, present and future is a common experience for all human beings.
So when we closely examine our experience of time, we come to understand that all changes happen in the present moment. The past and future are thoughts stored in our memory. We can never step out of the present moment to go back to yesterday, nor can we move forward to a distant future. In reality, the only dimension that is real is the Now, which is the present moment of our awareness. All of our experiences of change happen in the here and now. What we call tomorrow will eventually also happen in the now of our awareness. Therefore, time has never escaped the present moment. Our awareness is the unlimited and unbound present moment that contains the spiral of time within. By returning to our awareness, we recognize ourselves as the non-moveable moment of awareness of here and now.
Rediscover our inner Heart Qualities
Heart qualities such as happiness, calmness, stillness, compassion, kindness, and friendliness are essential aspects of the human experience. These traits are deeply ingrained within us and become part of our being when we learn to live in the present moment. Unfortunately, our thoughts, emotions, and self-interest often obscure the beauty of the present moment. As a result, we forget our innate nature.
The present moment is a vital force that lies deep within us, permeating our unconscious mind into our dreaming and waking states. However, if we remain preoccupied with our subconscious mind, the radiance of the present moment will dim the moment it reaches our waking experiences. Therefore it is essential to learn how to relax and let go, so we can fall back into our state of naked awareness which we call “Open Unfixated Awareness”.
Knowledge shared by
Huan M. Vuong
With years of dedicated practice, comprehensive research, and unwavering perseverance, our instructor acts as a messenger and a map-holder of the path. Let his journey inspire you to discover the endless possibilities within yourself in order to recognize your inner Self-sustaining nature of awareness. By the use of mindfulness, you can directly “experience” yourself as background calmness, stillness and awareness.
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