Eight consciousnesses and beyond.
Different traditions may view this slightly differently.
There are eight consciousnesses. Five of the senses, three of mind. The sixth perception. The seventh is judgement. The eighth is the storehouse of thoughts. In normal life the action between the 6th 7th and 8th happen very quickly.
An example:
The eye consciousness see something, that is perceived by the 6th consciousness. This immediately goes very quickly (hardly noticed) to and through the 7th consciousness (judgement) which looks into the 8th consciousness to identify what it sees. It is then that the 7th consciousness can judge whether it is good or bad.
This is our habitual reaction. We get into a pattern of behaviour, we program ourselves. Meditation is about de-programming ourselves.
The closer we look, the fascinating it is!
The 8th consciousness is not only the software, it is also the hard drive. It has two names, Alaya (all ground) and Alayavidjnana (storehouse).
The Alaya 8th consciousness is very closer to Essence. But is still conceptual, however when that is deleted …that would be enlightenment! Anyway Alaya at our level is good enough, though it is a non-thought vacant state in the mind.. Here we need the help of Mipham Rinpoche’s ‘The Lamps that dispels the Darkness’. One merely has to look into this vacant state, and rests without any modifications.
That is Essence!……well, baby essence…as we have to recognise and sustain it. This is a non practice. Practice is needed when the mind is agitated or dull – when the mind is not tamed!
This is all theory, one has to look for oneself! Meaning to be aware of.
To look for oneself is a cosmic joke..”`The cosmic joke!” If we look for one’s self, it will never be found, we keep missing the PURE AWARENESS!
You have to admit this is so interesting. The Dharma is simple, it is said, “By knowing one everything is known”. I’m trying to not go into too much detail at the moment, just to give a flavour of the Dharma. We have a certain mind set of fixed ideas, and that has to be opened up.
What I personally love about the Dharma, is taking everything apart, or breaking it down, and then a situation is easier to see. The essence of the Buddha’s teachings have already been stated in these blogs. Especially ….“One merely has to look into this vacant state, and rest without any modification.” That says it all!
It is simple but not easy…, because of our habitual concepts we hold onto. Letting go can be painful.
