There are many helpful suggestions in these ancient Tibetan teachings, however, many of the suggestions seem to contradict what we would normally do. Such as "Don't expect applause". Other instructions seem esoteric such as "Regard all dharmas as dreams", or "In postmeditation practice be a child of illusion."
What has struck me today, however, is the saying: "Examine the nature of unborn awareness."
What does that mean? Examine the nature of unborn awareness? What is unborn awareness?
Well, I think that when we wait for the unknown, we are tuned into the open pallet of the universe, or at least a little corner of it. This place can be strongly felt at a close baseball or football game. There's an aliveness in the air as people wait with a hint of anticipation, but not really anticipation because no one really knows how it all will unfold. No one knows what is going to happen next. There may be commentators blathering about probabilities and stats, but no one knows when the next big play will happen and no one wants to miss it.
This is the nature of all existence. Every moment is pregnant with possibilities. Especially when other people are a part of those moments. Its the pregnant pause after you propose to the love of your life. Its the moment the ball leaves the pitchers hand. It could turn out anyway. Some people may see the unknown as "nothing", but if this is nothing then why do people still buy tickets to see baseball games?
Unborn awareness is the awareness of the unborn. This is aliveness. This ever unfolding existence always consists of moments which are born out of the possibilities that are ripe to come into reality.
So, what does it mean to examine that? How does one examine the awareness of the unborn?
Being aware of the "atmosphere" of any situation is one way. Being aware of the atmosphere at a hometown football game with two minutes left on the clock and a tied score. If you were aware of the people and their emotional states, as well as aware of how your own body feels at that moment, you will be examining this nature, this unborn awareness. You can be caught up in the draw of the unknown, the hopes the fears, the drama of the unfolding situation. You can also be aware of the atmosphere of that environment. You can feel the energy in yourself. You can be aware of the hopes and fears which rise and fall in your own body. Its invigorating to be aware of this. One might think its a cold way to see it. To be removed from the energy of it. But if anything, I'd say that by being aware of the energy of a situation is also at the same time completely open to the ever unfolding nature of existence. This means feeling everything you can. Its being aware of life, and just how magical and fresh it is. Its like you become a tuning fork which tunes into the whole situation and vibrates at the same frequency, yet is aware of the fact that it is in tune. This is what I think examining the nature of unborn awareness is all about. Curiosity is the key. You can be the curios witness to any situation, and tune into the energy of whats happening right now. Being fully alive requires nothing more.
