Non-thought

You got it. There is a state beyond thought. Zen calls it (sometimes) “no-thought” or “non-thought.”

This is a good step in the right direction.

Be keen here.

Opening Up Of Sensorium

In the absence of thoughts, there can be, at least initially, a greater sensitivity to the senses–to touching, tasting, seeing, hearing, and smelling–as well as to the experiencing of physical sensations.

To begin with, go ahead and explore each sense more keenly. E.g.,

• Without concepts (thoughts), what is perceiving the rising and falling of physical sensations really like?
• Without concepts (thoughts), what is perceiving the rising and falling of hearing really like?
• Without concepts (thoughts), what is perceiving the rising and falling of seeing really like?
• And so on

Nesting: Dead Sitting

That said, after you’ve explored what the above are like and once you’ve gotten a good taste of each, carry on with the inquiry.

Why? Because you can accidentally nest in what Chan refers to as “dead sitting.” Meaning? Simply watching all phenomena come and go. This is not satori (sudden awakening).

First, when you get up, samskaras will be activated again and thus samsara will return. Second, you’re not cultivating the energy you need to go deeply inward in order to find out Who You Really Are.

The Approach, Then, To Go Beyond

Undertake, when appropriate, 2 investigations:

1. Apropos egoity: Is there a “center” that’s located behind the physical sensations that (are said to be) appearing on the inside of the closed eyelids? Can I find such a localized center, such a “sense of me”?
2. Apropos Witnessing Awareness: Who is experiencing these sensations? “Go back” and find out what the background of all experience is.