Constant Vigiliance

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Message 7

" billrishel " illusyn

Thu May 4, 2006 0:28pm(PDT)

Re: Constant vigilance as fascination

 

Nisargadatta , " Adamson " <adamson wrote:

>

>

>

> To the best of my recollection, J. Krishnamurti and Douglas Harding

have

> both stated that " constant vigilance " is necessary and must be

> maintained, not by *someone* (i.e., a separate *me* sense) but by

> *understanding* or *intelligence* itself, otherwise " habitual ways of

> thinking, reacting, functioning " reassert themselves thereby

> perpetuating suffering and chaos in the world. In other words, perhaps

> it's the " urge " (for lack of as better word) on the part of

> *intelligence* itself yearning (or being *driven?* to function

> " consciously/knowingly " in the world of appearances and relative

> (re-laytive) relationships, thereby resulting in harmonious, orderly,

> and healthy functioning. In other words, the flesh being informed,

> instructed, and inspired by spirit.

>

> Michael

 

> I am an artist, and I have developed as an artist over

> decades. At one point it was difficult for me to " study " ,

> to simply explore the structure of a face, and to enjoy

> the process itself as end in itself. Early on I was more

> focused on results. I wanted to end up with a great drawing,

> but didn't care to invest so much in the process.

 

> I am now at a very different point, in effect quite reversed.

> I have learned a great deal about the technical underpinnings,

> which itself facilitates artistic expression for me. But

> more important is the very joy in the process itself. Now, I

> simply *love to draw*. And I *love to study* as well. It is

> now fascinating to take an interesting face and explore it in

> drawing, to go into in and understand more deeply. Give me

> 20 minutes uninterrupted with my sketchpad and pencils and

> I am gone into to it, any time.

 

> The " constant vigilance " spoken of is analogous to my

> experience of drawing. What was once difficult to bring oneself

> to do is now a fascination. It is the " intelligence " itself

> that has come alive in it, full of fascination.

 

> At one point it may be painful and arduously difficult to

> bring oneself to really look at an emotional hurt. But the

> time comes when the opportunity to do so is encountered with

> relish... as if to say, " Oh Boy! Another emotional hangup

> to melt into, to acknowledge and to experience completely! "

 

> In the beginning, yes can seem so hard. But in the end

> constant vigilance is not out of effort at all. It is rapt

> fascination.

 

 

> Bill

 

Thanks Bill, for your clarifying and simplifying post regarding mine

regarding " constant vigilance " . Added a new (and important) dimension

for me. Yum yum! :-)

 

Michael