DETAINING THE SERPENTS OF MARA
The last conceptualization of the Fayan model was the "Last Conceptualization" of the "clear and correct operation of the six sense doors" as individual components and as distinct experiences. This is different than that of Zongmi, whose last conceptualization was upon the "one-word awareness" which includes simply an "undifferentiated sensing".
Carrying the Boulder in the Mind.
On a journey at Daizhang’s temple, as Fayen prepared to continue the abbot pointed at a boulder and declared:
“Many say the Three Worlds exist because the mind and all phenomena arise from recognition. So, tell me, does that boulder exist in the mind or outside?”
Fayen replied:
“In the mind.” To which Dizhang responded, “That stone will soon become a burden for you to carry around."
This is not an indication, as some suppose, that form and emptiness are identical. The subtle message is that all phenomena arise in the mind through "recognition" and that it is this that causes a burden. Now recognition is the first stage of sensation in which a phenomenon is either recognized as having been observed before or that it is a new stimulus.
The subtle message is that if there is no recognition, just the basic awareness of seeing, touching, hearing and the rest, then there is no burden. The key is to allow the raw senses' message of functioning to generate non-cognitive experiences and natural Dharma solutions that do not require cognition as a master.
Everything is "What Is."
On another occasion Fayan was asked by Guicheng, 规程, "Where are you going?"
The reply was, "My feet are walking."
"Why are you walking?", was the next question.
"I don't know - it's best not to know," was the response
Guichen said "You often say it is all in the mind... Is this stone in your head or outside?"
"Inside!"
"Why carry a heavy stone inside the mind when your feet are walking?"
The reply was, "I have extinguished my walking and mind. As for the Dharma, everything is what it is."
We see the same idea presented here. Sensing is occurring. No more is necessary. Everything is related to the pure sensory experience.
The Awareness of the six sense doors provides only the information that touching, seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting and thinking is taking place (all without conscious content).
The key idea for Fayan was that "everything is what it is." It is as sensing records and no further conscious elaboration is necessary. The Last Conceptualization uses that as a platform.
The False True Reality
Kuei Chen said,
"Don't make the mistake of subjectively defining knowledge and views in your little mind and drawing boundaries there. This is perception and cognition, thought and discrimination (emotion). And yet it is not that this is wrong; but if you nod here and say that you have found true reality, then you don't get it."
The Method of Fayan (Fa-yen)
With the final objective to awaken the adept to his profound nature, one directs contemplation at the sounds, movements and the innumerable signs that pervade the cosmos. These are seen as evidence that correct sensing is taking place. Why these elements? It is because they are the least tainted by cognition.
Listening (etc.) with plain attention cuts away all impediments and allows the Last Conceptualization of Cognitive Experience to be left behind so that the root experiences of higher consciousness are discerned and passed to memory. These are the fundamental experiences of the Essence of the Feminine Principle.
Stepping then close to Dao there is silence and the absence of Duality.
Building the Last Conceptualization of the Reflective Awareness
You will recall that when we dealt with the building of the Last Conceptualization of Zongmi we said that the perfect state within a conscious mind that is unstained by Identity is one also of perfect harmony.
Let us examine Zongmi's six characteristics now with respect to Fayan.
Composition and Decomposition
The rising and falling away in consciousness.
All is formed within consciousness from a uniform base
It is Universal, but the parts all of one kind may yet be Specified.
All is Homogenous with available Clarity of detail (Sharpness).
It is the task then of Contemplation to allow these six characteristics to operate without the contamination of Identity and be free of the Duality which destroys these characteristics. The ideal Last Conceptualization then is one which accomplishes the pure Last Conceptual Experiences for Awareness which are composed of these six characteristics.
This is accomplished by an Awareness of Reflectivity of the Self Nature, the Pure Sensory Awareness, in which the information available at that point is simply that six sense-door sensing is taking place. But the nature of the approach is slightly different because of Fayan's temperament and that of the adept who may be in harmony with Fayan.
Now for the building of the Last Conceptualization for the Contemplation, be it a physical sitting meditation or a constant "sitting" of the mind, for the case of Fayan within the REFLECTION of VITAKKA it begins by reflecting upon the six characteristics of Sensory Awareness, which are:
Composition and Decomposition
Universality and Specifiability
Homegeneity and Sharpness
It is the Specifiability of Sensing that however becomes the principal focus of the Reflection. This, as it were, is drawn out of the six-point set and as the Reflection falls away there will be an arising of the cognitive experience of this as a Cognitive EXPERIENCE without words or concepts.
All senses are one sense that extends to the whole word, the cosmos, comprising of all undiferentiated particulars seem to dissolve and become specific as six distinct senses that declare "hearing is taking place," "seeing is taking place," "touching is taking place," "tasting is taking place," "smelling is taking place," and "thought is taking place." All of course without content.
This, of course, is a guide to that first REFLECTION, which is really particular and individual at the moment of access to the Contemplation.
In this contemplation there will be a sense of fluttering between the Universal and the Specific which should not be discarded or considered in any way with the cognitive mind.
One simply dwells within that VICARA experience when it arises. The breakthrough to the unconscious-related experiences will arise without any intentionality on your part.
The other Contemplation of Guiyang focuses upon different aspects, namely the the awareness of common roots or "Homogeneity", but with a "Sharpness" which becomes the base of the sense-door differentiation of Observing without an Observer.