Date: 12/14/2024 12/15/2024
Location: Star River Meditation Center
Teacher: Yunquan Huang
Sitting Meditation
Seeing the Difference Between Thought and Awareness
The goal of meditation is not to stop thinking but to recognize the difference between thought and awareness. Thoughts fluctuate and entangle; awareness is steady, open, and free. Seeing this distinction marks the beginning of real practice.
1.What Is Thought?
Thought includes:
1.Mental activity
Analysis, planning, remembering.
2.Emotions
Fear, anger, excitement, sadness.
3.Mental images
Stories and imaginations created by the mind.
4.Conditioned reactions
Patterns formed by past experiences.
Characteristics of thought
Impermanent
Changing
Easily pulls you in
Thought is the wave.
2.What Is Awareness?
Awareness is the knowing behind all thoughts.
1.A clear knowing
It is not the thought but the one who sees it.
2.Stable
Thoughts change; awareness doesn’t.
3.Non-judging
It observes without reaction.
4.Spacious
It can hold thoughts, emotions, and sensations without being trapped.
Awareness is the ocean holding the waves.
3.Key Differences Between Thought and Awareness
1.Thought is content; awareness is the field
Thought moves; awareness contains.
2.Thought binds; awareness frees
Thinking increases entanglement; awareness loosens it.
3.Thought pulls inward; awareness steps back
One drags you in; the other lets you see clearly.
4.Thought moves; awareness watches
Movement vs. presence.
4.How to Experience the Difference Directly
1.Notice “I am thinking”
This recognition is awareness.
2.Return to the body
Breath, posture, and touch reconnect you to awareness.
3.Watch thoughts pass
No suppression—just seeing.
4.Remove “I” from emotions
Change “I’m angry” to “Anger is happening.”
5.Engage the senses
Hearing, touch, breath bring you into presence.
5.Signs You Are in Awareness
1.Thoughts arise but don’t control you
2.Emotions appear but don’t overwhelm
3.Body sensations are seen without resistance
4.You stop controlling and simply observe
5.The mind feels light, open, and clear
When the “knowing presence” appears, you are in awareness.
Conclusion
Thought is movement; awareness is clarity.Practice is not fighting thoughts but returning to the awareness that sees them.When you recognize this difference, the mind becomes clearer, lighter, and far more free.
