Hi Ly,

I hope you are well.

I became aware many years ago of this formless awareness, a loving presence. For years I turned to it, and tried to “rest” in it.

I don’t know if this is what Nisargadatta referred to as being in the “I am”.

But I have realised there is still a sense of separation if you rest as the presence. Whereas there is actually no separation between this “presence” and the objects.

And even this presence is a form in a way. It is perceived.

Is there anything beyond/ apart from this presence and the forms arising?

I just felt like reaching out to you. I would welcome any thoughts you might have.

Thank you very much

Love Nadine

P/S: Just another thought.

If I am perceiving this presence, there must be an identification with it.

Sometimes there is a perception of the presence and forms – sometimes there is no perception.

Hi Nadine,

Thanks for reaching out and sharing your thoughts. Let’s dive into this idea of formless awareness and presence. You see, it’s common to have that sense of loving presence and try to “rest” in it. However, the moment we identify with this presence, it becomes another form, another object of perception.

As you’ve noticed, even this presence is perceived, and that’s where the subtle separation sneaks in. You are spot on in realizing that there is no separation between the presence and the forms arising. In essence, they are one and the same. This presence is like the space in which all forms appear, yet it is not separate from the forms themselves.

So, is there anything beyond this presence and the forms arising? Well, you know, it’s actually quite simple. When we talk about “beyond,” we can fall into the trap of searching for another state, another form of experience. But true freedom is recognizing that even this search is a movement within awareness. It’s not about finding a new state but seeing the inherent nature of all experiences, whether they are forms or the formless presence.

When you perceive the presence and sometimes there is no perception, it shows that there is a deeper layer to observe. What remains constant regardless of the presence or absence of perception? It’s the awareness itself, which isn’t a thing or state to be identified with. It’s not something you can cling to or label. This is where true liberation lies.

From my own realization, there’s a tendency for the mind to latch onto these experiences, to own them, and build an identity around them. It’s important to remain aware of this tendency. The moment we identify with any experience, whether it’s the presence or the absence of forms, we create a subtle separation.

In your direct experience, observe how these identifications arise and dissolve. Notice the reactions, the clinging, or the resisting in your body and mind. This helps to see through the nature of these conditionings. The key is to see that everything, even the idea of presence, is a transient phenomenon within the boundless awareness.

I hope that makes sense. Remember, the practice is not about attaining a specific state but about recognizing the true nature of all states. Stay curious and keep exploring your direct experience without clinging to any particular notion or identity.

P/S

Let’s think about it like this:

Imagine you’re in a house and you suddenly realize that the air around you is crucial for your life. So, you start paying attention to the air, appreciating its presence. But then, you get this idea that there might be something beyond the air, something even more vital. So, you begin a quest to find this mysterious “beyond the air” element.

But here’s the thing: the air is already what sustains you. It’s in every room, it’s always there, and you don’t need to go anywhere or do anything special to find it. It’s the most natural and ever-present part of your existence. Searching for something beyond the air is like trying to find a more fundamental element of life while ignoring the fact that you’re already breathing.

In the same way, awareness is like that air. It’s the backdrop of all experiences, the space in which everything arises. Trying to search beyond formless awareness is like looking for a more basic element of life while ignoring the awareness that’s already here, right now. Just as breathing the air is enough to sustain you, being aware is enough to perceive the reality as it is.

Remember, it’s not about reaching, attaining, or getting something new. It’s about dropping all searches. The absurdity lies in not realizing that what we’re searching for is already here, effortlessly present in our everyday experience. By ceasing the constant search for something beyond, we allow ourselves to settle into the natural state of awareness, which is already complete and sufficient.

I hope that metaphor helps make it clearer. The key is to drop the search and simply be aware and present. Everything else falls into place naturally when we stop striving and start simply being.

Phan Y Ly