"There are these three things which we must understand: concentration, choiceless awareness, and attention. Concentration implies resistance â concentration on a particular thing, on the page you are reading, or on the phrase you are trying to understand: to concentrate, to put all your energy in a particular direction. That is one thing. I neednât enlarge on that, need I? In that concentration there is resistance and therefore there is effort and division. I want to concentrate, thought goes off on something else, I bring it back. The fight. And if you love something you concentrate very easily. All that is implied in the word âto concentrateâ, to put your mind on a particular object, or a particular picture, a particular action. That is one thing.
Choiceless awareness implies to be aware both objectively, outside, and inwardly, without any choice. Just to be aware of the colours, of the tent, of the trees, the mountains, nature â just to be aware. Not choose, say, âI like thisâ, âI donât like thatâ or âI want thisâ, âI donât want thatâ. Right? To observe without the observer. The observer is the past, which is conditioned, therefore he is always looking from that conditioned point of view, therefore there is like and dislike, my race, your race, my god, your god, all the rest of it. We are saying to be aware implies to observe the whole environment around you, the mountains, the trees, the ugly walls, the towns, aware, look at it. And in that observation there is no decision, no will, no choice. Get it? You understand it?
And attention â concentration, choiceless awareness and attention. In attending there is no center. Right? You are completely attending. Are you now â if I may ask â attending to what is being said? If you are completely, totally attending there is no you who is attending â is there? You understand? If you are listening completely with your heart and with your blood, everything, there is no me attending. Right? There is no me which limits that attention. Then attention is limitless. Right? Therefore attention then has complete space."
J. Krishnamurti Talk 7, Saanen (Switzerland), 1977
Choiceless Awareness is a term Krishnamurti coined to direct our attention to a perception that is independent of the thought and choosing process. It is also a central theme of his teachings.
This excerpt by Krishnamurti encourages readers to question the inherent limitations and potential drawbacks of concentrated thought. Concentration, as described, often involves the self, leading to resistance, division, and personal attachment. This invites us to reflect on whether such division and struggle are inherent to the human condition when we fixate our minds on specific tasks or objects.
In contrast, he proposes that choiceless awareness may offer a deeper understanding of reality. In light of this, it's worth considering your own perspective on the roles of concentration, choiceless awareness, and attention in shaping your perception of reality. How do these ideas align or contrast with your experiences? Could there be another way to look at so-called reality?
The Immeasurable is dedicated to exploring the essential questions of our existence. The intent is to inspire readers to question assumptions of the mind, offering opportunities to ask deep questions into common life themes which are superficially accepted.
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