Attention

Let’s say, for now, that attention can be either “externalized” or “internalized.”

By “attention,” I mean awareness in the mode of witnessing. Then “externalized attention” will refer to witnessing objects while being engrossed by and therefore “lost in” them.

By contrast, “internalized attention” will, in actuality, refer to the dissolution of witnessing as it merges into the “ocean of awareness.”

Externalized Attention As The Illusory Appearance Of Ignorance

One seems to be ignorant of the Self owing to the way in which one’s attention gets focused on and thereby fascinated with objects (perceptions, sensations, thoughts, and feelings). It’s in this sense that the attention is said to be “externalized” rather than “internalized.” 

One’s fascination will unfold in thoughts. For example:

• Seeing color-shape, one might ask, “Is that a bluejay?” And then one will start thinking of bluejays, hawks, ravens, etc.
• Experiencing a sensation, one might think, “I can’t live with this pain.” And then more and more thoughts will take off from here in an effort to mollify what the mind has already labeled “pain.”
• Experiencing a thought, one may believe that one is the thinker and thus may get engrossed in a particular line of thought.
• Experiencing a feeling arising, one may turn and turn about in this sadness or grief or fear.

These are all examples of “externalized attention.”

The Inward-facing Path

Self-inquiry begins when we “turns away” from objects and turns back toward the source. One “turns back around” and “introverts.”

• In lieu of being interested in the name given to this color-shape, one wants to know who is aware of this color-shape arising.
• In lieu of getting engrossed by sensations, one will inquire into whoever it is that is experiencing this sensation.
• In lieu of getting caught up in thoughts or feelings, one will “hold onto” the thinker or feeler. Who is the thinker? Is there such a one? Who feels this? Is there a feeler?

The first discovery is that there is no ego-self. The second discovery is that there’s only awareness, which is precisely what one truly is.