I’ve found there are many tricks to reduce suffering,
but many only scrape the surface.
Many try to reduce suffering
by placing attention on different, more pleasurable content
instead of observing the nature of the content itself.
Turning to new content may bring relief
but understanding the nature of content
is brings understanding.

This understanding is forgotten easily
and must be stabilized
through deliberate practice.

The source of suffering is forgetting our essence.
It’s identification with the content of experience,
with thoughts, forms, and sensations.
It’s seeking what’s pleasant and avoiding what’s unpleasant.
It’s attaching who we are to stories and outcomes.
It’s the feeling of having a self that is separate from.

The source of lightness is remembering our essence.
It’s asking the question: who is doing the looking?
It’s turning attention onto attention
and resting in the recognition that arises.

We might resist the way we feel
instead of allowing feelings.
We run from feelings and content
instead of witnessing the feelings and content.
It’s okay to face what’s arising.

We may think we shouldn’t be feeling something.
We may think we shouldn’t be thinking something.
And that resistance, confusion, and questioning,
is creates suffering.

Instead, allow the feelings
and allow the thoughts.
Without resisting,
without holding onto either.
Can you witness both?
Can you embrace the paradox of conflict
without resisting
Can you observe from a place of true nature?
Do you see how it’s not you who creates the conflict,
but rather that the conflict is created in the surface level of experience
and there is something much deeper,
below the surface,
which makes you who you are.

Everyone can access this awareness
because it comes from no one in particular.
Insight and understanding are nothing special.

Understanding flows from the same place for all of us.
We can receive it if we tune in,
turn our attention inward
upon itself,
upon the nature of self
upon the nature of sensations and breath.

Love,
David