Ffafing aboot with churning whims

Upon waking this morning thoughts were mainly about the long overdue house repairs which are being projectised. When I got up there was nothing attention grabbing in the email, social networks, or online news; so attention went back to house repairs generally and sourcing Scottish Larch in particular.

I went to the kitchen to make a coffee and, on a whim, tided up the porch. Then there was focus on the Kindle for a while – about ‘mindfulness’. The idea of its being non judgemental in the present moment struck home. And then there was a switch to the image of the ‘witness’ watching ‘stuff’ from the unconscious entering and leaving the attention centre.

Then an AHA moment.

The unconscious is perpetually busy churning thoughts and feelings. This process involves linking present time sensory inputs to past time memories and then reacting or responding by taking appropriate actions. BUT, for the mostpart, the busy-ness is confined to the unconscious. Every now and then some of the froth from the churning is thrust into the attention centre where the I, the self, the witness becomes awake to and aware of what is going on – but after the event. Self consciousness is not in control or in charge. Pause for sound bites:

• The mind has a mind of its own.
• The heart has its reasons that reason knows nothing about.

SO, for what reason did the unconscious aspect of mind come to tell this particular story? What part, if any, was played by the illusory notion of I, me, mine, self, or ego?

The story emerged in non-egoic flow and outwith awareness of space and time. There was focused concentration. The underlying theme has been lingering since my enculturation as a Zoologist in the late 60s – there are many “neurotic nihilists living in existential vacuums” – surely there must be “better ways to be human”.

Which of us by taking thought can change the world at personal through planetary level? There is no easy answer to that question. But it seems clear at this present moment that it will involve better understanding of the process of ffafing aboot with churning whims.

“Don’t just DO something – sit there.” (Thich Nhat Hahn)