Mistaking Vacancy for Emptiness.

 It is very important to understand the difference between these two states: otherwise, we will not notice being stuck in a blank state of ‘not knowing,’ of uncertainty.

 It is possible to meditate and rest in non-thought, while our essential nature – emptiness – goes unnoticed. We can sit in a silent state, not thinking, not knowing. We also do this when watching TV!

 By the masters, this state is called ignorance. This perception is without knowing: it is the 6^th consciousness, where meditation takes place.

 The first five consciousnesses are the senses, the 6^th is perception, the 7^th is judgement and the 8^th is the storehouse of memories. When resting in meditation in the 6^th, the 7^th and 8^th are still.

 When the 8^th consciousness is still, it is called “abiding in the ‘all-ground’”. We can sit and observe the mind’s stillness, but that is still a duality – it is me aware of stillness. Experiencer and the experienced. This stillness is relative truth.

 Samantrabhadra says:
“The vacant state of not thinking anything is itself the cause for ignorance and confusion.”

So…look naturally into awareness.
This is awareness of awareness.
Drop all speculations.
Merely recognise the clear experience.
It has no duality of ‘experienced’ and ‘experiencer’.
Be of conviction that there is nothing more – that is your true nature. Emptiness.

 It cannot be described and it is beyond extremes.
Gain confidence in this dawning of pure, knowing wisdom.

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