Page 17 - Dhamma Practice

If we can, we should contemplate with “non-self”—or, without the feeling of “us”. Instead, we only use our awareness to contemplate. Notice that when we wilfully contemplate any conscious phenomenon such as the inflate-deflate phenomenon, or even when we practice walking meditation, we will have the feeling of “us” as the observer. “We” are the entity that wilfully contemplates that conscious phenomenon. This is what we mean by contemplating with a sense of “self”. This feeling of self is a conventional reality (banyat).
If we contemplate with a feeling of “non-self” or we contemplate with an unburdened mind, the fabrication does not occur and we contemplate with a genuine reality. The conscious phenomenon that emerges—be it the inflate-deflate phenomenon or the emergence- cessation phenomenon—will be clear. As mentioned before, we should attach our awareness to the conscious phenomenon. For example, as we move our hand, if we attach our awareness to that phenomenon, then we can really contemplate the present. We are not just an observer, and our awareness is clearly part of the conscious phenomenon. How do we attain “non-self”? Have we ever seen our “non-self”? If our answer is “never”, this is not wrong. In dhamma, there is no wrong. We are here to learn and we have not yet succeeded. Therefore, do not be afraid of being wrong. If we do not know what we are doing is wrong, then we would
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